Medicare Advantage beneficiaries spent an average of 18 percent fewer days in the hospital than seniors in FFS Medicare. Seniors in Medicare Advantage had an average of 27 percent fewer visits to the emergency room than those seniors in traditional Medicare. Seniors enrolled in Medicare Advantage health plans also experienced a 42 percent lower rate of hospital re-admissions than those seniors in FFS Medicare. Avoidable admissions to the hospital were 13 percent lower among seniors in Medicare Advantage plans than those in traditional Medicare.

Policymakers and stakeholders recognize that reducing preventable hospital admissions and readmissions are important steps towards improving the quality and safety of patient care and helping to put our health care system on a more sustainable path. These studies demonstrate that the programs Medicare Advantage plans have implemented provide a model for how this can be accomplished.

The health care reform proposals currently being considered in Congress include significant cuts to the Medicare Advantage program that would risk the health security of millions of seniors across the country. Seniors would face higher premiums, reduced benefits, and, in some parts of the country, would lose access to their Medicare Advantage plan altogether.

"The entire Medicare program, including Medicare Advantage, should be carefully evaluated as part of comprehensive health care reform. However, seniors in Medicare Advantage should not be forced to fund a disproportionate share of the costs to reform the health care system," said Ignagni.

Source: AHIPResearch