KFF July 14, 2025
Enrollment in Medicare Advantage, the private plan alternative to traditional Medicare, has increased steadily since 2010. The average beneficiary has access to 34 Medicare Advantage plans with prescription drug coverage in 2025, double the number available in 2018. On average, Medicare beneficiaries have access to plans offered by 8 firms, a slight increase from 2018. One goal of offering Medicare coverage through private plans is to leverage competition with the idea that insurers will compete to provide better benefits and lower costs to attract and retain enrollees. However, recent analysis finds that Medicare Advantage markets are highly concentrated, suggesting that the growth in enrollment and plan availability has not occurred in the context of a competitive market.
Higher market concentration...







