Expected Out-Of-Pocket Costs: Comparing Medicare Advantage With Fee-For-Service Medicare

Abstract

We compared the generosity of Medicare plans in terms of out-of-pocket costs attributable to cost sharing and premiums, including both basic and supplemental services. From 2014 through 2019, projected out-of-pocket costs for a typical enrollee were 18–24 percent lower in Medicare Advantage than traditional fee-for-service Medicare.

The full study can be viewed at Health Affairs.

Ippolito, B., Trish, E., & Vabson, B. (2024). Expected out-of-pocket costs: Comparing medicare advantage with fee-for-service medicare. Health Affairs, 43(11), 1502–1507. https://doi.org/10.1377/hlthaff.2024.00295