WASHINGTON, Feb 18 (Reuters) - U.S. health insurers offering private Medicare Advantage plans will see a net 1.6 percent increase in federal government reimbursements on average, a top U.S. official said on Friday.
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Deputy Administrator and Director Jonathan Blum said the average increase would vary by region and applicable bonus payments.
The agency that runs the nation's health insurance plan for the elderly or disabled said its proposal would offer companies 'a health payment update' while also keeping plans affordable for beneficiaries.
Medicare Advantage plans are run through private health insurers and are offered as an alternative to traditional Medicare plans. They aim to be more efficient and offer better services for less money, but critics charge the government pays the plans too much.
Humana Inc and UnitedHealth Group Inc are the biggest providers of Medicare Advantage plans. Other providers include Aetna Inc, Cigna Corp Coventry , Health Net Inc, HealthSpring and WellPoint Inc, among others.
(Reporting by Susan Heavey; Editing by Tim Dobbyn) Keywords: USA MEDICARE/INSURERS (sheavey@thomsonreuters.com; +1202-354-5848; Reuters Messaging: susan.heavey.reuters.com@reuters.net) COPYRIGHT Copyright Thomson Reuters 2011. All rights reserved. The copying, republication or redistribution of Reuters News Content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Thomson Reuters.
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Deputy Administrator and Director Jonathan Blum said the average increase would vary by region and applicable bonus payments.
The agency that runs the nation's health insurance plan for the elderly or disabled said its proposal would offer companies 'a health payment update' while also keeping plans affordable for beneficiaries.
Medicare Advantage plans are run through private health insurers and are offered as an alternative to traditional Medicare plans. They aim to be more efficient and offer better services for less money, but critics charge the government pays the plans too much.
Humana Inc and UnitedHealth Group Inc are the biggest providers of Medicare Advantage plans. Other providers include Aetna Inc, Cigna Corp Coventry , Health Net Inc, HealthSpring and WellPoint Inc, among others.
(Reporting by Susan Heavey; Editing by Tim Dobbyn) Keywords: USA MEDICARE/INSURERS (sheavey@thomsonreuters.com; +1202-354-5848; Reuters Messaging: susan.heavey.reuters.com@reuters.net) COPYRIGHT Copyright Thomson Reuters 2011. All rights reserved. The copying, republication or redistribution of Reuters News Content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Thomson Reuters.