Publication Date: March 2023

Four years into implementation, nearly 40% of Medicare Advantage plans are offering either expanded primarily health-related benefits (EPHRB) or Special Supplemental Benefits for the Chronically Ill (SSBCI) in 2023. This latest report, guided by the SSBCI Leadership Circle and produced by ATI Advisory and LTQA, examines why benefits that help members stay in their homes – specifically in-home support services (IHSS), caregiver supports, and social needs benefits – have experienced significant growth and adoption despite the challenges in providing a human-powered service. Each of these benefits grew in terms of the number of plans offering them between 2020 and 2023, with a 364% increase in plans offering IHSS (from 283 plans to 1,314), a 320% increase in caregiver supports (134 to 563), and a 1,215% increase in social needs benefits (34 to 447).

Key findings from this research include:

• Plans offer these benefits because they are directly and particularly responsive to identified member needs and gaps in the care system. 
• Plans often offer these benefits as part of a broader, flexible package of benefits to help meet individual needs and support overall health. 
• Beyond addressing needs, plans view these benefits’ primary impact as promoting member satisfaction and retention.

Acknowledgments

Supported by a grant from The SCAN Foundation – advancing a coordinated and easily navigated system of high-quality services for older adults that preserve dignity and independence. For more information, visit www.TheSCANFoundation.org.