92% of rural Nebraska hospitals report financial hardship caused by Medicare Advantage plans
HealthExec October 2, 2024
A survey of 92 Nebraska rural healthcare organizations revealed that patients covered by Medicare Advantage (MA) plans are not getting adequate care—and some hospitals in the state plan to end their contracts with MA insurers.
The Nebraska Rural Health Association hosted a meeting with its member organizations, at which they discussed challenges with care delivery and reimbursement for patients covered by MA. Many expressed concerns that these health plans—promoted to seniors as being superior to traditional Medicare—actually put patients’ lives in jeopardy.
“MA challenges the future of critical access hospitals due to lower reimbursement rates, slower or denied payments and increased administrative burdens,” Jed Hansen, executive director of the Nebraska Rural Health Association, said during the Oct. 2 meeting...