Medicare Advantage Plan Switching Rose Among Dual-Eligible
Dual-eligible beneficiaries in the U.S. changed insurance plans more frequently in 2022 than six years prior.
Updated on Sept. 29, 2026 in Alzheimer’s
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Approximately 22% of Medicare enrollees who are dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid switched their Medicare Advantage plans in 2022, compared to 12% in 2016. These beneficiaries represent roughly one-fifth of the total Medicare population.
Why it matters
Higher rates of plan switching among this population may impact continuity of care and the stability of coverage arrangements for those managing chronic conditions like Alzheimer's. Understanding these trends is essential for beneficiaries and their caregivers when evaluating annual coverage options.
A retrospective study published in AJMC analyzed administrative enrollment records from 2016 to 2022. It found that dually eligible enrollees were six times more likely to move between Medicare Advantage plans than to switch to traditional Medicare.
The players
AJMC
A peer-reviewed journal focused on health policy, clinical outcomes, and the economics of managed care.
The details
Researchers utilized longitudinal administrative data to track how frequently beneficiaries transitioned between health insurance products. The mechanism of switching typically involves selecting new coverage during annual enrollment periods, driven by changes in provider networks, plan benefits, or financial incentives. Dually eligible individuals consistently demonstrated higher plan mobility compared to those eligible for Medicare-only coverage.
Timeline
In 2016, 12% of dually eligible enrollees switched Medicare Advantage plans.
Enrollment trends were tracked from 2016 to 2022.
In 2022, 22% of dually eligible enrollees switched Medicare Advantage plans.
The study was published in AJMC in September 2026.
Health Landscape
This movement tracks alongside the CMS Medicare Advantage annual enrollment trends, which monitor how market competition and plan availability influence beneficiary behavior. This study updates the historical figures regarding enrollment stability previously established by broader market-wide analysis.
If you or a family member are dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid, review your plan's provider network and benefit list annually to ensure they still meet specific care needs. It is worth discussing any planned changes in coverage with your doctor to prevent disruptions in specialty care.
The takeaway
Beneficiaries who qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid show increasing movement between private plan options. Maintaining consistent care requires careful review of network participation and drug formularies before confirming an enrollment change.
Further reading
For more information on navigating coverage transitions, visit Alzheimer’s.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Ajmc.
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