Since the first Medicare HMOs were made available in the 1970s, private health plans have bounced in and out of the market. The last great influx resulted from the Balanced Budget Act of 1997, which allowed private plans to offer Preferred Provider Organizations, Provider Sponsored Organizations and private fee-for-service (PFFS) plans, as well as Medicare HMOs.
By 1999, enrollment in private Medicare managed care plans had reached approximately 16% of all Medicare beneficiaries. However, around the same time, plans were realizing that Medicare reimbursement rates were insufficient to allow them to operate profitably. Thus, began the great mass exodus of private insurers from the Medicare program.
Today, enrollment in private Medicare managed care plans hovers at about 12% of Medicare eligibles. And, new legislation has been put in place to move seniors en masse from the traditional Medicare program to private insurance, or "Medicare Advantage" plans.
But the question remains: Do private health insurance plans finally have the advantage they need to succeed in this expanding and potentially highly profitable market?
As the old adage says, it's a whole new ballgame. The Medicare Modernization Act of 2003 has changed the playing field for private health insurers. Finally, it seems, the right structure and incentives are in place to help health plans succeed. For instance:
o New payment rates are designed to provide adequate compensation.
Based on the 2006 national per capita Medicare Advantage payment growth rate of 4.8%, many plans will see an increase in reimbursements right off the bat. Plus, beginning in 2006, Medicare will use a risk adjusted reimbursement methodology, ensuring that plans are adequately compensated for caring for beneficiaries with complex medical conditions.
o Established Medicare Advantage regions make it easier for smaller plans to play.
Medicare has established 26 regions in which Medicare Advantage plans can compete. Plans can serve at the local level (usually an HMO) or regional level, sometimes spanning several states (usually a PPO or PFFS). As a result, plans have access to adequate populations of Medicare eligibles without necessarily having to expand their networks. Furthermore, more Medicare eligibles have greater access to more plans.
o Medicare-subsidized drug benefit allows for more robust product offering.
Under the new Medicare Part D (prescription drug coverage), private health plans will provide the Medicare drug benefit. Under Part D, Medicare will pay 50% or more of a typical beneficiary's drug costs. Low-income seniors can get even more help.
In short, private health insurers have more incentives than ever to contract with Medicare to provide benefits. Plans have taken notice. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, there are now 273 Medicare Advantage contracts nationwide, up from about 160 at the beginning of 2005.
It is likely that the Part D coverage actually can drive Medicare Advantage enrollment. Of course Part D has been the big story for seniors during 2005. Now, many health plans are using this new benefit as an entryway into Medicare Advantage.
