Study: MA beneficiaries’ hospital stays longer than those under Traditional Medicare
A JAMA internal medicine study published Sept. 8 found that since the COVID-19 pandemic, Medicare Advantage beneficiaries have been experiencing longer hospital stays than those under Traditional Medicare. The study examined more than 89 million hospitalizations from 2017 to 2023 and found the average length of stay for MA admissions during that period increased from 6 to 7.1 days, while Traditional Medicare admissions grew from 5.8 to 6.3 days. The researchers noted that these trends “may reflect insurance-related discharge barriers” and that the results “are consistent with hospital industry reports.” They point to prior authorization or limited post-acute care networks as possible causes.
Related News Articles
Headline
A KFF analysis released Jan. 28 found that Medicare Advantage insurers made nearly 53 million prior authorization determinations in 2024, an increase…
Headline
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Jan. 26 released proposed changes to Medicare Advantage plan capitation rates and Part D payment policies for…
Headline
The AHA Jan. 26 expressed support and provided its perspective on certain provisions within the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ proposed…
Headline
The comment period for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services' proposed rule for policies governing the Medicare Advantage and Part D programs for…
Headline
The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission Jan. 15 voted to recommend that Congress update Medicare payment rates for hospital inpatient and outpatient services…
Headline
UnitedHealth Group announced Jan. 14 that it launched a six-month pilot program to reduce Medicare Advantage payment processing times by half for rural…