June 2012: rural MA enrollment and premium update.

Key Data Findings. (1) Rural Medicare Advantage (MA) enrollment grew to over 1.7 million in June 2012 (17% of eligible beneficiaries), while total MA enrollment grew to nearly 13.4 million (27% of eligible beneficiaries). (2) Rural preferred provider organization (PPO) and health maintenance organization (HMO) enrollment grew to over 840 thousand (48% of the market) and 532 thousand (31% of the market), respectively, while private fee-for-service (PFFS) enrollment fell to 230 thousand in rural areas (13% of the market). (3) Rural MA enrollment varies across the country with concentrations of enrollment on the West Coast, the Great Lakes, and the Northeast regions of the United States. (4) The average monthly weighted premium for rural MA plans with prescription drugs fell in 2012 to $48 from $52 in 2011, but it remains significantly higher than the urban average which also fell during the same time from $38 to $34. (5) Zero premium plans are available to 73% of rural MA beneficiaries and to 95% of urban beneficiaries; however, only 48% of rural beneficiaries that have this option choose these plans compared to 63% of urban beneficiaries. The resulting average non-zero premium was $72 in rural areas in 2012, while the average non-zero premium in urban areas was $81. (6) Roughly a third (35%) of rural MA beneficiaries receive their MA coverage including prescription drugs without having to pay a premium, however this is significantly lower than 60% of urban beneficiaries that do not have to pay a premium.