Beyond the Headlines: What A New Analysis Misses About Medicare Advantage

Study after study has shown that Medicare Advantage works: Beneficiaries experience fewer avoidable hospitalizations, more preventive care, better outcomes after discharge, and greater satisfaction — all while saving money. That’s why more than 34 million Americans — over 55% of all Medicare beneficiaries — choose Medicare Advantage for its high-quality, comprehensive care at lower cost.

However, a new analysis from NORC at the University of Chicago is raising questions, suggesting Medicare Advantage enrollees have longer hospital stays before being discharged to post-acute care settings compared to those in Fee-for-Service Medicare. But the study misses the full picture. It is based on outdated data (2018–2022), doesn’t adjust for clinical risk or demographic differences, and fails to measure what matters most: patient outcomes. It also doesn’t reflect more recent CMS policies that have strengthened Medicare Advantage coverage criteria, including in post-acute care.

So, what’s the real story of how Medicare Advantage keeps seniors healthier and out of the hospital in the first place? Let’s dig deeper:

Medicare Advantage Gets Results

Medicare Advantage emphasizes preventive, coordinated care and offers benefits Fee-for-Service Medicare does not — including dental, vision, and hearing services; fitness programs; transportation; telehealth; and in-home support. This integrated approach delivers tangible results:

• Preventive care is stronger: Medicare Advantage beneficiaries receive more screenings on average, leading to earlier detection and more effective treatment. For example, beneficiaries with prediabetes are diagnosed with type 2 diabetes five months earlier, on average, than those in Fee-for-Service Medicare.
• Cancer screenings are more common: Medicare Advantage beneficiaries are as or more likely than their Fee-for-Service counterparts to have received key cancer screenings in the past year — with even higher rates among those previously diagnosed with cancer.

A recent Berkeley Research Group (BRG) analysis reinforces these trends across varied populations:

• Preventive screenings (cardiovascular, breast cancer, and colonoscopy) are 4–12% higher across minority groups in Medicare Advantage
• Annual wellness visits are up to 21% more common
• Avoidable hospitalizations are 6–12% lower for Black and Hispanic Medicare Advantage beneficiaries

When hospitalization does occur, the BRG analysis found Medicare Advantage leads to better recovery:

• Primary care follow-up within 7 days of discharge is up to 41% more frequent
• 30-day hospital readmission rates are 38–43% lower for Medicare Advantage enrollees

And beneficiaries see the value. Research shows that Medicare Advantage delivers $3,400 in average annual savings compared to Fee-for-Service Medicare — all while maintaining high satisfaction rates among beneficiaries.

A Broader Perspective

The NORC report offers a narrow snapshot — while the overwhelming evidence shows that Medicare Advantage is delivering on its promise: keeping seniors healthier, more independent, and better cared for through value-based, preventive care.

At a time when policymakers are debating the future of health care for seniors, it’s not just about what happens after a hospital stay. It’s about preventing hospitalizations in the first place — and Medicare Advantage is leading the way.