“Long-Term Services and Supports in Supplemental Benefits in Medicare Advantage Plans,” by Deepon Bhaumik, David C. Grabowski, JAMA Network
“Medicare Advantage (MA) plans have had the ability to offer long-term services and supports (LTSS) supplemental benefits (eg, in-home support services, adult day health services, caregiver support, home-based palliative care, and nonopioid pain management) since 2019. However, it is largely unknown how available these benefits currently are among MA plans. … In this cohort study, the availability of LTSS benefits within MA plans in 2025 was essentially no different than it was when benefits were first offered. The share of MA beneficiaries enrolled in a plan offering LTSS decreased during the same time frame, suggesting that there is still untapped potential for MA plans to offer LTSS supplemental benefits.”
LTC Comment, Stephen A. Moses, President, Center for Long-Term Care Reform:
We predicted LTC in MA plans wouldn’t amount to much except to subtract from consumers’ concern about LTC risk and cost. We worried such a phantom benefit would add to the moral hazard created by Medicaid coverage for the middle class. Why worry or plan for LTC risk and cost if the government or your MA plan will pay? Poor public policy compounded by misleading private promises are behind most of what ails LTC. For more, read the Paragon Health Institute’s “Long-Term Care: The Problem” and “Long-Term Care: The Solution” and watch this “virtual LTC event” featuring age wave visionary Ken Dychtwald and leading LTC researchers. To find ample private funds for LTC, check out “Medicaid’s $100+ Billion Leak.” For what not to do, see “Medi-Cal-amity: California’s Reckless Expansion of Medicaid Long-Term Care to the Affluent.” Much more on long-term care here.