Benefit Design and Potential Trade-offs of Medicare Advantage Affinity Plans for Asian Beneficiaries

What are the characteristics and potential trade-offs—related to cultural relevance, benefit coverage, and network restrictions—of Medicare Advantage (MA) affinity plans that disproportionately enroll the Asian population in the US?In this cross-sectional study of 4224 MA plans in 2023, 27 were identified as Asian-oriented affinity plans offered in California, New York, Texas, and Massachusetts, collectively enrolling 16.1% of Asian MA beneficiaries in these states. These affinity plans, compared with other MA plans, offered lower premiums and culturally relevant benefits but were less likely to cover traditional benefits, achieved lower Medicare Star Ratings, and had narrower physician networks.The enrollment growth and performance of Asian-oriented affinity plans should be closely monitored to ensure they are meeting Asian beneficiaries’ health care needs.

Corresponding Author: Jose F. Figueroa, MD, MPH, Department of Health Policy and Management, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, 677 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA 02115 (jfigueroa@hsph.harvard.edu).

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