Diagnosed prevalence of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias in Medicare Advantage plans
Eric Jutkowitz, Julie Bynum, Susan L. Mitchell, Noelle M. Cocoros, Oren Shapira, Kevin Haynes, Vinit Nair, Cheryl N. McMahill‐Walraven, Richard Platt, Ellen P. McCarthy
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: One-third of Medicare beneficiaries are enrolled in Medicare Advantage (MA). Yet, little is known about MA beneficiaries diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and AD-related dementias (AD/ADRD). METHODS: We calculated the prevalence of AD/ADRD diagnoses in 2014 and 2016 in three MA plans. We determined the demographic characteristics of beneficiaries diagnosed with AD/ADRD, and whether they disenrolled from the MA plan for any reason within 364 days from the index date. RESULTS: In 2014 and 2016, the overall prevalence of AD/ADRD diagnoses was 5.6% and 6.5%, respectively. In 2016, AD/ADRD beneficiaries were on average 82.4 (SD = 7.4) years of age, 61.8% female, and had multiple comorbidities. By 364 days post-index date, 32% of beneficiaries with AD/ADRD had disenrolled from their plan. The demographic characteristics of 2014 beneficiaries with diagnosed AD/ADRD were similar to their 2016 counterparts. DISCUSSION: The prevalence of AD/ADRD diagnosis in MA is lower than rates reported in Medicare fee-for-service.