With additional benefits and typically lower costs, Medicare Advantage (MA) Plans can be a great value compared to Original Medicare. Despite employing managed care protocols to control costs, more and more Medicare-eligible seniors are gravitating toward the better value MA plans offer.  In just over seven and one-half years, from October 2016 through May 2024, the penetration of MA plans across the U.S. has grown from under 31% of Medicare-eligible Americans to 50%.

The growing popularity of MA plans nationally is mirrored in the twelve-state Southeast region of the U.S., where Medicare Advantage plan enrollment has grown from a 30.7% share of the Medicare-eligible market in October 2016 to 52.5% as of May 2024.  Here is a state-by-state look at how Medicare Advantage market share in the Southeast has grown from October 2016 to May 2024:

Medicare Advantage Market Share in the Southeast

	Medicare Eligible (1)			MA Enrollment (1)			% MA Market Share
State	May-24	Oct-16		May-24	Oct-16		May-24	Oct-16
AL	1,109.5	991.4		659.7	262.2		59.5%	26.5%
AR	673.1	609.0		304.5	125.3		45.2%	20.6%
FL	5,093.3	4,172.8		2,889.4	1,715.1		56.7%	41.1%
GA	1,925.3	1,585.9		1,064.9	529.6		55.3%	33.4%
KY	981.4	882.7		523.3	240.1		53.3%	27.2%
LA	937.7	817.7		523.0	257.4		55.8%	31.5%
MS	638.9	574.3		272.1	89.8		42.6%	15.6%
NC	2,203.4	1,829.7		1,223.9	561.9		55.5%	30.7%
SC	1,213.6	977.5		543.3	230.3		44.8%	23.6%
TN	1,468.2	1,269.6		775.4	452.3		52.8%	35.6%
VA	1,668.7	1,404.1		636.3	204.3		38.1%	14.6%
WV	450.2	424.9		227.3	106.4		50.5%	25.0%
Region	18,363.2	15,539.5		9,643.1	4,774.8		52.5%	30.7%
Total(2)	66,833.3	56,888.7		33,419.9	17,489.5		50.0%	30.7%

(1) in thousands; region totals may not equal the sum of individual states due to rounding adjustments

(2) includes U.S. territories

Source:  Medicare Monthly Enrollment Reports

Medicare Advantage (MA) Plans can be a great value compared to traditional Medicare, thanks to added benefits and typically lower premium costs.  Managed care cost control protocols notwithstanding, Medicare-eligible seniors continue to gravitate to the better value MA plans offer.  In roughly more than six-and-one-half years, from October 2016 through May 2023, the market share of MA plans across the U.S. has grown from under 31% of Medicare-eligible Americans to 48%.

The growing popularity of Medicare Advantage plans nationally is mirrored in every region of the U.S.  Here is a more detailed breakdown of Medicare Advantage market share by region (for state-by-state details, follow the "region" link in the table below):

Medicare Advantage Market Share by Region

	Medicare Eligible (1)			MA Enrollment (1)			% MA Market Share
Region	May-23	Oct-16		May-23	Oct-16		May-23	Oct-16
FrWest	10,100.1	8,679.3		4,954.8	3,286.1		49.1%	37.9%
GLakes	9,604.2	8,553.3		4,647.9	2,469.4		48.4%	28.9%
MidEst	9,828.7	8,804.9		4,367.8	2,639.5		44.4%	30.0%
NwEng	3,236.3	2,828.4		1,305.9	608.8		40.3%	21.5%
Plains	4,348.0	3,814.1		1,802.7	722.0		41.5%	18.9%
Rockies	2,200.1	1,792.5		985.3	536.0		44.8%	29.9%
SE	17,985.3	15,539.5		9,049.7	4,774.8		50.3%	30.7%
SW	7,261.9	6,050.2		3,595.5	1,879.8		49.5%	31.1%
Total(2)	65,390.9	56,888.7		31,362.0	17,489.5		48.0%	30.7%

(1) in thousands

(2) includes U.S. territories

Source:  Medicare Monthly Enrollment Reports

Thanks to broader benefits and usually lower costs than Original Medicare coverage, Medicare Advantage (MA) Plans have much to offer budget-minded Medicare-eligible individuals. Despite utilizing managed care protocols to control costs, MA plans have been attracting growing numbers of Medicare-eligible seniors away from traditional Medicare coverage.  In a bit more than seven and one-half years, from October 2016 through May 2024, the market share of MA plans across the U.S. has grown from under 31% of Medicare-eligible Americans to 50%.

The growing popularity of Medicare Advantage plans nationally is reflected in the four-state Southwest region of the U.S., where MA plan enrollment has grown from a 31.1% share of the Medicare-eligible market in October 2016 to 51.3% as of May 2024.  Here is a state-by-state look at how Medicare Advantage market share in the Southwest has expanded from October 2016 to May 2024:

Medicare Advantage Market Share in the Southwest

	Medicare Eligible (1)			MA Enrollment (1)			% MA Market Share
Area	May-24	Oct-16		May-24	Oct-16		May-24	Oct-16
AZ	1,482.1	1,186.6		751.1	450.6		50.7%	38.0%
NM	460.0	386.3		229.3	124.8		49.8%	32.3%
OK	797.7	698.8		323.1	119.0		40.5%	17.0%
TX	4,712.1	3,778.6		2,522.0	1,185.4		53.5%	31.4%
Region	7,451.9	6,050.2		3,825.5	1,879.8		51.3%	31.1%
Total(2)	66,833.3	56,888.7		33,419.9	17,489.5		50.0%	30.7%

(1) in thousands; region totals may not equal the sum of individual states due to rounding adjustments

(2) includes U.S. territories

Source:  Medicare Monthly Enrollment Reports

Thanks to additional benefits and usually lower costs than regular Medicare coverage, Medicare Advantage (MA) Plans have much to offer cost-sensitive Medicare-eligible individuals. Despite utilizing sometimes unpopular managed care protocols to control costs, MA plans, with their more compelling value propositions, have been attracting growing numbers of Medicare-eligible seniors away from regular Medicare coverage.  From October 2016 through May 2023, a period of only about six-and-one-half years, the market share of Medicare Advantage plans across the U.S. has grown from under 31% of Medicare-eligible seniors to 48%.

The growing popularity of Medicare Advantage plans nationally is mirrored in the five-state Rocky Mountain region of the U.S., where MA plan enrollment has grown from an approximate 29.9% share of the Medicare-eligible market in October 2016 to a 44.8% market share as of May 2023.  Here is a state-by-state look at how Medicare Advantage market share in the Rocky Mountain region has expanded from October 2016 to May 2023:

Medicare Advantage Market Share in the Rocky Mountain Region

	Medicare Eligible (1)			MA Enrollment (1)			% MA Market Share
Area	May-23	Oct-16		May-23	Oct-16		May-23	Oct-16
CO	999.9	829.9		505.3	274.4		50.5%	33.1%
ID	377.6	294.7		175.4	93.7		46.5%	31.8%
MT	253.7	209.6		69.6	41.6		27.4%	19.8%
UT	446.2	359.3		220.3	123.7		49.4%	34.4%
WY	122.7	98.9		14.7	2.6		12.0%	2.6%
Region	2,200.1	1,792.5		985.3	536.0		44.8%	29.9%
Total(2)	65,390.9	56,888.7		31,362.0	17,489.5		48.0%	30.7%

(1) in thousands; region totals may not equal the sum of individual states due to rounding adjustments

(2) includes U.S. territories

Source:  Medicare Monthly Enrollment Reports

With typically lower premium costs and additional benefits, Medicare Advantage (MA) Plans provide Medicare-eligible seniors with a compelling value proposition in comparison to traditional Medicare coverage. Despite employing sometimes unpopular managed care protocols to control costs, the value appeal of MA plans continues to draw more and more Medicare-eligible seniors away from traditional Medicare coverage.  In a little more than six-and-one-half years, from October 2016 through May 2023, the market share of MA plans across the U.S. has grown from less than 31% of Medicare-eligible Americans to 48%.

The increasing popularity of MA plans nationally is likewise evident in the Great Plains region of the U.S., where Medicare Advantage plan enrollment has grown from an approximate 19% share of the Medicare-eligible market in October 2016 to a 41.5% market share as of May 2023.  Here is a state-by-state look at how Medicare Advantage market share in the Great Plains region has grown from October 2016 to May 2023:

Medicare Advantage Market Share in the Great Plains Region

	Medicare Eligible (1)			MA Enrollment (1)			% MA Market Share
Area	May-23	Oct-16		May-23	Oct-16		May-23	Oct-16
IA	665.8	588.7		219.6	92.5		33.0%	15.7%
KS	572.2	500.2		178.4	70.7		31.2%	14.1%
MN	1,108.9	949.8		581.9	160.5		52.5%	16.9%
MO	1,295.3	1,167.7		662.1	349.7		51.1%	30.0%
NE	371.6	324.0		107.0	38.3		28.8%	11.8%
ND	143.0	121.5		22.2	2.0		15.5%	1.6%
SD	191.2	162.1		31.5	8.3		16.5%	5.1%
Region	4,348.0	3,814.1		1,802.7	722.0		41.5%	18.9%
Total(2)	65,390.9	56,888.7		31,362.0	17,489.5		48.0%	30.7%

(1) in thousands; region totals may not equal the sum of individual states due to rounding adjustments

(2) includes U.S. territories

Source:  Medicare Monthly Enrollment Reports

With typically lower costs and extra benefits, Medicare Advantage (MA) Plans provide a most compelling value proposition in comparison to traditional Medicare coverage. Despite employing managed care protocols to control costs, the value appeal of MA plans has drawn more and more Medicare-eligible seniors away from traditional Medicare.  In the span of just six-and-one-half years, from October 2016 through May 2023, the market share of MA plans across the U.S. has grown from under 31% of Medicare-eligible Americans to 48%.

The increasing popularity of Medicare Advantage plans nationally is mirrored in the Mid-East section of the U.S., where MA plan enrollment has grown from a 30.0% share of the Medicare-eligible market in October 2016 to a 44.4% market share as of May 2023.  Here is a state-by-state look at how Medicare Advantage market share in the Mid-East states has grown from October 2016 to May 2023:

Medicare Advantage Market Share in the Mid-East States

	Medicare Eligible (1)			MA Enrollment (1)			% MA Market Share
Area	May-23	Oct-16		May-23	Oct-16		May-23	Oct-16
DC	95.5	90.5		29.7	7.1		31.1%	7.8%
DE	233.9	186.8		69.5	17.0		29.7%	9.1%
MD	1,110.0	964.8		240.5	53.3		21.7%	5.5%
NJ	1,708.8	1,532.2		664.1	254.3		38.9%	16.6%
NY	3,806.3	3,432.4		1,901.3	1,276.4		50.0%	37.2%
PA	2,874.2	2,598.2		1,462.6	1,031.3		50.9%	39.7%
Region	9,828.7	8,804.9		4,367.8	2,639.5		44.4%	30.0%
Total(2)	65,390.9	56,888.7		31,362.0	17,489.5		48.0%	30.7%

(1) in thousands; region totals may not equal the sum of individual states due to rounding adjustments

(2) includes U.S. territories

Source:  Medicare Monthly Enrollment Reports

Medicare Advantage (MA) plans, with extra benefits and typically lower costs, offer a great value compared to traditional Medicare. Despite employing sometimes unpopular managed care protocols to control costs, the better value of MA plans continues to draw more and more Medicare-eligible seniors away from traditional Medicare coverage.  In a span of just over six-and-one-half years, from October 2016 through May 2023, the penetration of Medicare Advantage plans across the U.S. has grown from under 31% of Medicare-eligible Americans to a 48% market share.

The growing popularity of MA plans nationally is also seen in the six-state New England region, where Medicare Advantage plan enrollment has grown from an under 22% share of the Medicare-eligible market in October 2016 to over 40% as of May 2023.  Here is a state-by-state look at how Medicare Advantage market share in New England has grown from October 2016 to May 2023:

Medicare Advantage Market Share in New England

	Medicare Eligible (1)			MA Enrollment (1)			% MA Market Share
Area	May-23	Oct-16		May-23	Oct-16		May-23	Oct-16
CT	727.1	643.9		395.2	172.2		54.4%	26.7%
MA	1,415.2	1,250.9		429.4	249.7		30.3%	20.0%
ME	367.4	315.3		202.6	80.3		55.1%	25.5%
NH	330.7	273.9		108.0	22.6		32.7%	8.2%
RI	235.5	208.5		121.8	73.6		51.7%	35.3%
VT	160.5	135.9		48.8	10.4		30.4%	7.6%
Region	3,236.3	2,828.4		1,305.9	608.8		40.3%	21.5%
Total(2)	65,390.9	56,888.7		31,362.0	17,489.5		48.0%	30.7%

(1) in thousands; region totals may not equal the sum of individual states due to rounding adjustments

(2) includes U.S. territories

Source:  Medicare Monthly Enrollment Reports

With additional benefits and typically lower monthly premium costs, Medicare Advantage (MA) Plans can be a great value compared to Original Medicare. Despite employing managed care cost-containment protocols that some consumers dislike, more and more Medicare-eligible seniors are shifting to the better value MA plans offer.  In just over six-and-one-half years, from October 2016 through May 2023, the market share of MA plans in the U.S. has grown from under 31% of Medicare-eligible Americans to 48%.

The growing national popularity of MA plans is also found in the five-state Great Lakes region of the U.S., where MA plan enrollment has grown from a 28.9% share of the Medicare-eligible market in October 2016 to over 48% as of May 2023.  Here is a state-by-state look at how Medicare Advantage market share in the Great Lakes region has expanded from October 2016 to May 2023:

Medicare Advantage Market Share in the Great Lakes Region

	Medicare Eligible (1)			MA Enrollment (1)			% MA Market Share
Area	May-23	Oct-16		May-23	Oct-16		May-23	Oct-16
IL	2,345.0	2,122.0		856.3	412.5		36.5%	19.4%
IN	1,335.1	1,182.1		628.6	295.3		47.1%	25.0%
MI	2,187.2	1,950.1		1,243.0	638.0		56.8%	32.7%
OH	2,465.5	2,211.7		1,264.4	754.1		51.3%	34.1%
WI	1,271.3	1,087.4		655.6	369.4		51.6%	34.0%
Region	9,604.2	8,553.3		4,647.9	2,469.4		48.4%	28.9%
Total(2)	65,390.9	56,888.7		31,362.0	17,489.5		48.0%	30.7%

(1) in thousands; region totals may not equal the sum of individual states due to rounding adjustments

(2) includes U.S. territories

Source:  Medicare Monthly Enrollment Reports

Despite employing managed care cost controls that are sometimes unpopular with consumers, Medicare Advantage (MA) plans have experienced strong market share growth across the country in recent years. With additional benefits and typically lower costs, MA Plans offer a compelling value compared to Original Medicare, a value proposition that is drawing more and more interest from Medicare-eligible seniors.  In the slightly more than six-and-one-half years from October 2016 to May 2023, the market share of MA plans across the U.S. has grown from under 31% of Medicare-eligible Americans to 48%.  

The increasing popularity of Medicare Advantage plans nationally is reflected in the six-state Far West region of the U.S., where MA plan enrollment has grown from an approximate 38% share of the Medicare-eligible market in October 2016 to 49.1% as of May 2023.  Here is a state-by-state look at how Medicare Advantage market share in the Far West has grown from October 2016 to May 2023:

Medicare Advantage Market Share in the Far West

	Medicare Eligible (1)			MA Enrollment (1)			% MA Market Share
Area	May-23	Oct-16		May-23	Oct-16		May-23	Oct-16
AK	108.0	86.6		2.1	0.4		1.9%	0.4%
CA	6,714.2	5,840.0		3,345.4	2,288.6		49.8%	39.2%
HI	298.2	252.3		158.9	115.3		53.3%	45.7%
NV	581.1	473.2		286.8	161.0		49.4%	34.0%
OR	922.4	786.9		492.5	347.3		53.4%	44.1%
WA	1,476.2	1,240.3		669.1	373.6		45.3%	30.1%
Region	10,100.1	8,679.3		4,954.8	3,286.1		49.1%	37.9%
Total(2)	65,390.9	56,888.7		31,362.0	17,489.5		48.0%	30.7%

(1) in thousands; region totals may not equal the sum of individual states due to rounding adjustments

(2) includes U.S. territories

Source:  Medicare Monthly Enrollment Reports

Medicare Advantage Enrollment Growth by Region (2016-2021)

In every region of the county, over the last five years Medicare Advantage (MA) plan enrollment has grown at a faster rate than each region's Medicare eligible population.  Moreover, six regions of the country realized MA enrollment growth rates that topped the national average.

Further examination of Medicare enrollment data reveals the following details about Medicare Advantage enrollment growth by region.  (For a further breakdown of MA enrollment growth by state within each region, follow the "region" links below.)

Medicare Advantage Enrollment Growth by Region

	Medicare Eligible *			MA Enrollment *			Annual % Growth
Region	Dec-21	Dec-16		Dec-21	Dec-16		Eligible	MedAdv
FrWest	9,847.2	8,762.7		4,401.6	3,304.3		2.4%	5.9%
GLakes	9,399.7	8,620.0		4,001.5	2,472.2		1.7%	10.1%
MidEst	9,617.0	8,867.0		3,892.1	2,648.5		1.6%	8.0%
NwEng	3,152.3	2,849.5		1,114.3	613.3		2.0%	12.7%
Plains	4,238.8	3,846.4		1,497.2	724.0		2.0%	15.6%
Rockies	2,125.9	1,812.2		839.9	538.8		3.2%	9.3%
SE	17,491.2	15,685.0		7,810.9	4,795.1		2.2%	10.3%
SW	7,017.2	6,114.5		3,106.9	1,892.5		2.8%	10.4%
Other**	820.6	830.9		629.9	573.5		-0.2%	1.9%
U.S.	63,710.0	57,388.1		27,294.4	17,562.2		2.1%	9.2%

* Medicare Eligible and MA Enrollment numbers in thousands, as of December 2021 and December 2016
** U.S. Territories
Numbers may not total due to rounding

Source: Medicare Monthly Enrollment by State Reports