Three Reasons Seniors of Color Are Choosing Medicare Advantage

Today, more than 40 percent of people eligible for Medicare choose Medicare Advantage^[1] and that number is even higher among people of color. A new study from the Better Medicare Alliance (BMA) shows that 53 percent of Hispanic beneficiaries and 49 percent of Black beneficiaries choose Medicare Advantage.^[2]

Here are 3 reasons why many seniors of color might be choosing Medicare Advantage:

1. Lower costs. Black and Hispanic Medicare Advantage beneficiaries saved an average of over $1,200 a year on out-of-pocket costs and premiums.^[3]
2. Better health outcomes. Medicare Advantage has a 43 percent lower rate of avoidable hospitalizations compared to fee-for-service Medicare.^[4]
3. Unique benefits. More than 99 percent of Medicare Advantage plans offer supplemental benefits that are not covered by fee-for-service Medicare, like dental care and wellness services.^[5]

You can read BMA’s full annual report here.