10 trends in Medicare Advantage enrollment

There has been rapid growth in enrollment in Medicare Advantage plans over the past four years, with 15.7 million beneficiaries enrolled in Medicare Advantage plans in 2014, according to recent data analysis from the Kaiser Family Foundation.

Here are 10 trends in Medicare Advantage enrollment from the KFF data.

1. From 2010 to 2014 Medicare Advantage enrollment increased by 41 percent, or 4.6 million beneficiaries.

2. Thirty percent of the Medicare population is enrolled in Medicare Advantage plans.

3. The growth in enrollment in Medicare Advantage plans occurred concurrently with the introduction of Part D prescription drug coverage in 2006.

4. There were 6.8 million beneficiaries enrolled in Medicare Advantage plans in 2006, compared to the 15.7 enrolled in Medicare Advantage plans in 2014.

5. Fifty-one percent of Medicare beneficiaries in Minnesota are enrolled in Medicare Advantage plans, the most of any state.

6. Wyoming has the lowest percentage (3 percent) of Medicare beneficiaries enrolled in  Medicare Advantage plans.

7. Arkansas, Delaware, New Hampshire and Vermont also have less than 10 percent of their Medicare population enrolled in Medicare Advantage plans.

8. In 2014, enrollment in Medicare Advantage plans increased in all states except New Jersey, which experienced a 2 percent decrease.

9. In 19 states, enrollment in Medicare Advantage plans grew by 6 to 10 percent, in 9 states enrollment grew by 11 to 15 percent, and in 7 states enrollment grew by 16 percent or more between 2013 and 2014.

10. Medicare Advantage plan enrollment grew by 56 percent in Illinois between 2013 and 2014, the most of any state.

More articles on Medicare Advantage:

100 things to know about Medicare reimbursement 
Medicare Part D from 2006 to 2014: 5 key trends 
50 things to know about 5 leading payers