Medicare-related premiums and deductibles increased slightly since 2021, a new report (PDF) from eHealth has found.
The Medicare Index Report for 2022 relied on data from more than 260,000 applications for Medicare plans by eHealth customers during 2022 and compared the average costs and plan choices.
“What differentiates eHealth’s annual Medicare Index Report from these is its focus on what Medicare beneficiaries actually choose for themselves, rather than what’s available to them,” the report noted.
It found that Medicare Advantage and Part D plan enrollees are paying slightly more this year in premiums ($6 and $22 a month on average, respectively) compared to last year, but premiums are lower than those of Medicare Supplement plans ($178 a month on average). While the price of premiums of Medicare Advantage and Part D has generally trended down the past five years, that of Medicare Supplement has steadily increased, the report showed.
Average deductibles also increased across the board, with Medicare Advantage costs up 4% from 2021 at $121 and Part D costs up 7% at $427. The average for Medicare Supplement plans was up 14% at $181 on average. Over the last five years, Part D deductibles have increased the most (up 42% from 2018).
The majority (73%) of Medicare beneficiaries shopping at eHealth selected Medicare Advantage plans, down slightly from 2021. Meanwhile, about one-fifth selected Part D plans. Most Medicare Advantage plans selected by eHealth customers had a $0 monthly premium, similar to 2021. The average annual out-of-pocket limit for these plans was just over $5,100, down 5% compared to last year.