Wonder

Research Outline

Prepared for Andrew S. | Delivered July 22, 2020

Ratings of Medicare Advantage Plans: US Counties

Goals

To determine the percentage of US counties with 4.5 or 5 star medicare advantage plans and to identify their locations to understand and demonstrate the disparities in access to quality healthcare across the united states.

Early Findings

According to the latest data available, in 10 percent of US counties, which account for 40 percent of beneficiaries, beneficiaries have the option to choose from more than 30 Medicare Advantage plans.
On the other hand, in 6 percent of US counties, which account for 1 percent of beneficiaries, beneficiaries have the option to choose only from two or fewer Medicare Advantage plans.
In 2019, there were 115 counties in the United States with no Medicare Advantage plans. However, the number declined to 77 in 2020.
When it comes to the ratings of the plans, only 10% of the enrollees in the United States are in plans that receive 5 star ratings.
The percentage share of enrollees who are in plans that receive 4.5 star ratings is estimated to be 28%.
The maximum number of enrollees in the United States, with an estimated share of 40%, are in plans that receive 4 star ratings.
Overall, in 553 counties in the United States, which account for 4% of Medicare beneficiaries, less than 10 percent of the beneficiaries are enrolled in Medicare private plans.
The color coded maps that signify the county-wise distribution of enrollment weighted average ratings for Medicare Advantage plans in non-EGHP (employer group health plan) counties in 2020 are available here.