Medicare says private insurance plans serving as an alternative for 17 million beneficiaries will get a modest payment increase next year.
Factoring in adjustments for the health of patients covered by a plan, the final number works out to about a 3 percent increase for Medicare Advantage and Part D prescription plans. That's slightly less than an originally proposed increase of around 3.5 percent.
Medicare made the announcement Monday after the close of financial markets.
Medicare also announced a transition period for some employer-sponsored plans that were facing a cut. It will be spread over two years.
Medicare Advantage plans cover nearly one out of three beneficiaries, a steadily growing share of the program. They offer lower overall costs for many patients, in exchange for some limitations on choice.
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