Medicare Advantage plans are becoming more popular every day; for people who are enrolled in Medicare, Medicare Advantage plans offer several benefits that Medicare doesn’t cover. In 2019, 42% of people with Medicare enrolled in Medicare Advantage plans, and this number is set to increase in 2024, with several new features being introduced. These features will make the plans even more appealing to enrollees. In this article, we will look at the new features of Medicare Advantage Plans 2024 and what they mean for enrollees.
Expanded Telehealth Services
2020 saw a surge in the use of telehealth services, thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, even before the pandemic, telehealth was useful for people who had chronic illnesses, mobility issues, or lived in rural areas. In 2024, Medicare Advantage plans will expand their telehealth services, making it easier for enrollees to access health care from the comfort of their homes. For example, Medicare Advantage plans will offer more video and audio appointments with doctors and other healthcare professionals. This feature will make it easier for people with chronic illnesses to manage their health and reduce the number of in-person visits to healthcare providers.
Supplemental Benefits
In 2024, Medicare Advantage plans will introduce more supplemental benefits to enrollees that will improve their health outcomes. Currently, Medicare Advantage plans offer extra benefits such as vision, hearing, and dental coverage, but in 2024, enrollees will have access to more benefits such as home modifications, transportation, and over the counter medications. The new benefits are an excellent addition to the plan because they will improve the quality of life for enrollees. For example, home modifications will allow seniors to live independently, while transportation will make it easier for them to visit healthcare providers and pick up medications.
Chronic Condition Special Needs Plans
Medicare Advantage plans recognize the unique healthcare needs of individuals with chronic conditions and special needs. These plans offer targeted services and support to help enrollees manage their conditions better. In 2024, Medicare Advantage plans will introduce Chronic Condition Special Needs Plans (C-SNPs) to make it easier for people with chronic illnesses to access the care they need. C-SNPs are designed for enrollees with specific chronic conditions, such as heart failure, diabetes, or cancer. These plans offer targeted care management, medications, and other services to keep enrollees healthy. This feature will improve the quality of life for people with chronic illnesses.
Coordination of Care
Coordination of care is an important feature of Medicare Advantage plans. In 2024, Medicare Advantage plans will improve their coordination of care services to ensure that enrollees get the right care at the right time. This feature will improve healthcare outcomes and reduce healthcare costs. Medicare Advantage plans will use electronic health records (EHRs) to coordinate care between healthcare providers. This will ensure that enrollees’ health information is up to date, and healthcare providers have access to their medical history. Additionally, Medicare Advantage plans will use care coordination teams to ensure that enrollees receive the right care and follow their treatment plans.
Star Ratings
Medicare Advantage plans are rated on a five-star scale by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). These star ratings help enrollees compare different plans and choose the best one for their needs. In 2024, the CMS will introduce changes to how plans are rated. The changes will make it easier for enrollees to understand the ratings and the quality of care offered by different Medicare Advantage plans. The new rating system will be based on enrollees’ experiences with the plan, the quality of care provided, and healthcare outcomes. This feature will help enrollees make informed decisions about their healthcare and choose the best plan for their needs.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, Medicare Advantage plans 2024 will offer several new features that will improve the quality of care for enrollees. The features will include expanded telehealth services, more supplemental benefits, chronic illness special needs plans, improved coordination of care, and better star ratings. All these features will make it easier for people to manage their health, improve their quality of life, and reduce healthcare costs. As a result, more people are likely to switch to Medicare Advantage plans in 2024. If you are enrolled in Medicare, it’s worth considering a Medicare Advantage plan and taking advantage of the new features.