New Jersey Seniors Trail National Average in Medicare Advantage Participation

With the Medicare Annual Medicare Enrollment period well underway, Clover Health, one of New Jersey’s fastest-growing Medicare Advantage (MA) plans, reveals that just 27% of New Jersey seniors are enrolled in an MA plan, despite significant increases in enrollment nationwide over the past decade.

Each fall, older adults enrolled in Medicare are able to easily switch and join an Advantage plan. In 2019, the Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) began on October 15 and runs through December 7. New coverage chosen during this year’s AEP will begin on January 1, 2020.

As of September 2019, nearly 1.8 million adults in New Jersey were eligible for Medicare—a 5.7% increase in that population since September 2018. Nevertheless, Garden State residents remain enrolled in MA plans at far lower rates than their peers throughout the country (34%).

“Choosing a healthcare plan is one of the most important decisions older adults make each year,” said Hiram Bermudez, VP of Northeast Operations, Clover Health. “That’s why Clover is urging the 73% of New Jersey seniors not enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan to research their options outside of traditional Medicare and explore the high-quality, personalized benefits offered through MA, often at a lower cost.”

Medicare Advantage plans are part of the official Medicare system, but can also provide substantial hospital and doctor visit coverage, low premiums, and a wealth of additional benefits—including prescription drug coverage, in-home checkups, vision, dental, and hearing care—not covered by traditional Medicare.

Through December 7, New Jersey seniors can sign up for one of Clover’s comprehensive Medicare Advantage plans. This AEP, Clover is offering:

• Numerous zero-dollar premium plans, including the lowest-cost PPO plan in New Jersey
• Zero copay for primary care visits and low-cost copay options for specialist visits
• Customized plans for beneficiaries who receive government assistance
• Competitive supplemental benefits including dental, vision, prescription drug and hearing coverage, as well as fitness benefits and 24/7 access to doctors

Older adults and others eligible for Medicare nationwide can also explore their options through the newly modernized Medicare Plan Finder from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, designed to help anyone compare coverage and benefits across available plans.

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Disclaimer: Clover Health is a Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) plan and a Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) plan with a Medicare contract. Enrollment in Clover Health depends on contract renewal.