Kansas has the largest decrease in average annual Medicare Advantage costs for 2019, while New Hampshire has the largest increase, according to a study from HealthMarkets, a health insurance agency.
To rank states, researchers examined CMS data to determine the total average annual cost of Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans for 2019. This total cost includes the average cost of monthly premiums, drug deductibles and maximum out-of-pocket cost. Researchers then looked at the difference in the total average annual cost of plans for 2018 and 2019.
The states with the largest decreases in Medicare Advantage average annual costs between the two years, based on the study:
1. Kansas
10.11 percent, or $783.43, decrease in cost
2. Delaware
9.58 percent, or $711.64, decrease in cost
3. Nebraska
9.36 percent, or $601.22, decrease in cost
4. North Carolina
7.87 percent, or $551.02, decrease in cost
5. Missouri
7.73 percent, or $493.07, decrease in cost
6. Florida
7.44 percent, or $453.90, decrease in cost
7. Kentucky
6.16 percent, or $437.15, decrease in cost
8. Michigan
5.77 percent, or $356.43, decrease in cost
9. Pennsylvania
5.35 percent, or $379.55, decrease in cost
10. Colorado
4.93 percent, or $305.11, decrease in cost
States with the largest increases in Medicare Advantage average annual costs between the two years:
1. New Hampshire
6.93 percent, or $451.37, increase in cost
2. Washington, D.C.
6.79 percent, or $467.13, increase in cost
3. Maryland
6.29 percent, or $431.86 increase in cost
4. Vermont
4.61 percent, or $305.62, increase in cost
5. Oregon
3.57 percent, or $210.73, increase in cost
6. Massachusetts
2.03 percent, or $124.29, increase in cost
7. Minnesota
1.83 percent, or $109.52, increase in cost
8. Hawaii
1.03 percent, or $66.11, increase in cost
9. Montana
1.01 percent, or $66.99, increase in cost
10. North Dakota
0.73 percent, or $47.47, increase in cost
Access the full study here.