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Medicare Advantage Insights and Predictions for Home Health

By Ellen Knowles | November 29, 2022

The National Association of Home Care and Hospice (NAHC) held their annual convention in October 2022.

Trella Health was honored to have the opportunity to speak on the topic of Medicare Advantage (MA) for the post-acute care industry. This blog recaps the key insights and predictions presented at NAHC, focusing on 4 areas Home Health cannot ignore.

1. Medicare Advantage Enrollment Will Continue to Grow

comparative bar graph image depicting National Medicare Enrollment by Type. This measures number of Medicare employees (denoted in millions) in both enrollment types across the years of 2017 - 2022.

The national Medicare enrollment type shows an increase in MA enrollees of 8.4% on average over the last 5 years, and between 2020 and 2021, MA enrollment increased by 9.9%. Comparatively, fee-for-service (FFS) has been on the decline for the last 5 years, decreasing by 2.1% on average and 4.1% between 2021 and 2022.

This goes to show, you can no longer rely on FFS primarily.

2. The Increase is Long Term

We continue to see the growth continue, in 2022, Medicare Advantage enrollment is pushing closer to 50% of eligible lives, with MA penetration hitting 45.8% in April. As the makeup of the eligible population changes, home health agencies must adapt to the changing healthcare coverage of their patients and evolve their strategy with the right referral partners.

3. Insights into Geography is Key

Growth is not uniform across the nation, so having the right data and insights at your fingertips is critical when developing the right strategy for your business.

• 21 states with > 40% MA Enrollment
• MA penetration is typically higher around major metropolitan areas
• 727 counties across US with > 50% MA enrollment
• Lack of MA enrollment in rural regions (compare rural northern CA to San Francisco and Los Angeles)

green shaded demographic layout of the United States that depicts a non-uniform growth in post-acute care across the country.

4. Data is Necessary to Compete

Having clear visibility into your market is crucial to your strategy. This included 100% Medicare Part A, B, and C claims — plus, Medicare Advantage and Commercial claims data. Being able to filter by physicians and facilities in your market that meet your criteria will be more efficient while avoiding those who are not the “right” referral source.

Trella’s Marketscape Insights platform does just that. Execute with confidence when you have data-driven solutions on your side that eliminate blind spots and help you achieve smarter growth and healthier outcomes.

Interested in learning more or seeing a personalized demo? Click the image below!

Ellen Knowles, Product Marketing Manager

As a results-driven marketing enthusiast with a focus on Healthcare IT and SaaS-based business, Ellen helps achieve strategic goals for market growth, product adoption, and customer success as a Product Marketing Manager at Trella Health. Ellen spent time at Georgia Military College before moving to Atlanta to start her career in sales, but quickly found her passion in marketing and dedicated the last four+ years to growing health IT brands and business in the hospital and ambulatory. At Trella Health, she's able to continue her passion for innovation and meaningful results.