Podcast: Brian Powers on How Humana Understands Medicare Advantage Enrollees’ Social Needs

More than 40 percent of Medicare enrollees are enrolled in Medicare Advantage (MA) plans, privately-sponsored health plans that provide Medicare benefits often along with other benefits not included in the standard Medicare package such as eye exams, hearing aids, and dental coverage.

Medicare Advantage is growing rapidly. On the current trajectory, it’s likely that the majority of Medicare enrollees will be in MA plans within a year or two.

Since MA plans are paid on a capitated basis, insurers have a financial incentive to control health care costs. Recently, much attention has been focused on how addressing social needs can yield...