Final countdown for seniors to enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan for 2023
Dec. 7 deadline to sign up for a plan that helps seniors fill coverage gaps
Participation in Medicare Advantage plans has more than doubled over the last 15 years according to a study from the Kaiser Family Foundation. In 2022, more than 28 million people in the United States — 48% of the eligible Medicare population — are enrolled in Medicare Advantage plans. The Congressional Budget Office projects this figure will rise to 61% in the next decade.
In Pennsylvania, the figure is slightly higher than the percentage of U.S. participants, with more than half (52%) of beneficiaries across the Commonwealth enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan.
“The time is now for seniors to review their Medicare Advantage plan and make sure it covers the gaps in traditional plans and fits their lifestyles and needs,” said Roger van Baaren, chief sales officer for Geisinger Health Plan “Look beyond standard health benefits and explore health coverage that can offer you access to wellness resources.”
Geisinger Health Plan is ranked best among commercial health plans in Pennsylvania for member satisfaction in the J.D. Power 2022 Commercial Member Health Plan Study for its third consecutive year. Geisinger’s Medicare Advantage Gold plan offers supplemental benefits and offers comprehensive health coverage with access to 29,000 in-network physicians, 3,000 pharmacies and more than 100 hospitals.
In addition, all Geisinger Gold plan members can participate in Geisinger 65 Forward, a program that delivers concierge care focused on older adults. At a 65 Forward Health Center, members can enjoy:
• Same-day appointments to see the doctor faster
• Longer 1:1 time with the doctor
• Social and educational activities
• A personal wellness plan, including state-of-the-art fitness equipment, exercise classes and wellness coordinators
• Access to mental health resources, including therapists and online tools
Geisinger’s program data indicates participation in programs like 65 Forward lowers inpatient admissions by 15% and lowers emergency room visits by 40%.
“Don’t ignore mental health benefits because standard Medicare coverage offers little access to mental health services,” said Cybele Pacheco, M.D., director of senior-focused care at Geisinger. “Maintaining strong personal and social connections is essential in staying happy and healthy as we age.”
Click here to learn more about Geisinger’s health plans.
About Geisinger
Geisinger is among the nation’s leading providers of value-based care, serving 1.2 million people in urban and rural communities across Pennsylvania. Founded in 1915 by philanthropist Abigail Geisinger, the nonprofit system generates $10 billion in annual revenues across 126 care sites — including 10 hospital campuses — and Geisinger Health Plan, with more than half a million members in commercial and government plans. Geisinger College of Health Sciences educates more than 5,000 medical professionals annually and conducts more than 1,400 clinical research studies. With 26,000 employees, including 1,700 employed physicians, Geisinger is among Pennsylvania’s largest employers with an estimated economic impact of $15 billion to the state’s economy. On March 31, 2024, Geisinger became the first member of Risant Health, a new nonprofit charitable organization created to expand and accelerate value-based care across the country. Learn more at geisinger.org or follow on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and X.
