A June 20 study from the departments of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and Health and Human Services (HHS) looks at how many HUD-assisted households are enrolled in Medicare Advantage (MA) and their demographic characteristics using 2018, 2019, and 2020 data. Since 2020, MA enrollment has increased nationally and now has more enrollees than Medicare fee-for-service. For HUD-assisted older adults, the number enrolled in MA increased 19% between 2018 and 2020. Of HUD-assisted older adults, 96% were enrolled in Medicare in 2020—54% with MA coverage.

Compared with the overall Medicare and MA populations, according to the report, individuals enrolled in MA with federal housing assistance were more likely to have lower incomes, be dually eligible for Medicaid, and identify as a person of color. As the report points out, these characteristics are also associated with greater risk of adverse health outcomes.

The report touches on “cash” benefit cards, noting that, since 2020, MA plans have been able to offer Special Supplemental Benefits for the Chronically Ill (SSBCI), which are supplemental benefits available to eligible chronically ill members. In 2022, more than 1,800 MA plans (approximately one-third of all MA plans) offered expanded primarily health-related supplemental benefits and/or SSBCI. These benefits can come in the form of “cash” cards that can be used for general living support, including over the counter medications, utilities, groceries, and rent. LeadingAge is working with providers on the impact of these cards on resident income and rent determinations.

The report looks at MA plan ownership and type, MA enrollees by HUD program, the geographic distribution of HUD-MA enrollees, and discusses opportunities presented by the geographic concentration of HUD-MA enrollees for care coordination and supportive services for at-risk populations.

Read the report and see its infographics here.