Research into Medicare Advantage (MA) encounter claims data and traditional Medicare claims by NORC at the University of Chicago finds that MA enrollees stayed in the hospital between 2 and 9 days longer than traditional Medicare beneficiaries before transitioning to post-acute care (PAC) services.

Looking at data from 2018 to 2022 for MA enrollees transitioning to skilled nursing facilities (SNFs), their hospital length of stay has increased 29% and 20% longer for those who discharge to home health services. The study did not examine whether MA plan prior authorizations decisions may be a factor in the extended stay or if PAC service availability also plays a role.  The study also found that MA hospital discharges increased between 2018-2022 by 5.6% at the same time that traditional Medicare saw 1.5% fewer discharges to PAC. When an MA enrollee is discharged from the hospital, they are 12.4% more likely than traditional Medicare patient to be discharged to home health services.