Older adults in Medicare Advantage plans who needed intensive rehabilitation after a hospital stay spent a median of nine days in the hospital before transfer, compared with six days for patients in traditional Medicare. The figures come from preliminary 2023 data presented by the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC), an independent panel that advises Congress.
The gap was even wider for patients sent to long-term care hospitals, which treat people who need extended hospital-level care: 21 days for Medicare Advantage enrollees versus 13 in traditional Medicare. The American Hospital Association (AHA) says insurer prior authorization is a major reason, a claim insurers have disputed in past statements.
