Medicare Advantage's enrollment is up; premiums are down - GOP WRONG AGAIN ..LOL

http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/story/2012-01-31/medicare-advantage-enrollment-premiums/52906712/1


WASHINGTON – Premiums for the Medicare program that allows recipients to choose private insurance have dropped an average of 7% while enrollment has grown by 10%, according to Department of Health and Human Services statistics to be released today.


That continues a trend for the Medicare Advantage program that counters the negative predictions about the effects of the 2010 health care law, which said enrollment would drop and premiums would rise.

"Premiums are down on average, enrollment is up, and thanks to the Affordable Care Act, we have unprecedented new tools to ensure that seniors and people with disabilities are getting the best value out of their coverage," HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius says in a statement Wednesday.

The premium decline exceeded that predicted in September by HHS analysts, who said the premiums would drop 4%. Since 2010, records show, premiums have fallen 16% and enrollment has increased 17%.
<more>


meanwhile medical care costs are tracked at increasing 8% in 2011 and expected to incrrease 8.5% in 2012
http://www.pwc.com/us/en/health-industries/publications/behind-the-numbers-medical-cost-trends-2012.jhtml