Radar on Medicare Advantage

As CMS Seeks Utilization Data, Supplemental Benefits Drove 3Q MLRs

  • Nov 16

    Nov 16, 2023

    Rising utilization in Medicare Advantage caught the attention of investors earlier this year after UnitedHealth Group disclosed an increase in outpatient care utilization in June, followed by Humana Inc.’s revelation that it was also seeing elevated medical costs due to an increased use of services. When reporting second-quarter 2023 earnings this summer, several insurers indicated that they were able to factor such trends into their bids for the 2024 plan year. Now, it appears that insurers’ rich supplemental benefit offerings continue to drive costs, as both CVS Health Corp. and Humana attributed elevated medical loss ratios (MLRs) in the third quarter to higher-than-normal uptake of benefits such as dental and flexible spending cards.    Read more
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    • Lauren Flynn Kelly

    Lauren has been covering health business issues since the early 2000s and specializes in in-depth reporting on Medicare Advantage, managed Medicaid and Medicare Part D. She also possesses a deep understanding of the complex world of pharmacy benefit management, having written AIS Health’s Radar on Drug Benefits from 2004 to 2005 and again from 2011 to 2016. In addition to her role as managing editor of Radar on Medicare Advantage, she oversees AIS Health’s publications and manages the health editorial staff. She graduated from Vassar College with a B.A. in English.

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Meet Our Reporters

Lauren Flynn Kelly

Executive Editor, AIS Health, and Managing Editor, Radar on Medicare Advantage

View Lauren Flynn Kelly's Profile

Angela Maas

Managing Editor, Radar on Specialty Pharmacy and Spotlight on Market Access

View Angela Maas's Profile

Leslie Small

Managing Editor, Health Plan Weekly and Radar on Drug Benefits

View Leslie Small's Profile

Carina Belles

Reporter, Radar on Medicare Advantage and Spotlight on Market Access

View Carina Belles's Profile

Jinghong Chen

Reporter, Health Plan Weekly and Radar on Drug Benefits

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Jill Drachenberg

Reporter, Health Plan Weekly and Radar on Drug Benefits

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Medicare Advantage
Financial Results
Health Care Utilization
Medical Costs
Benefit Design
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