The Growing Challenges of Medicare Advantage: Implications for Hospitals and Critical Access Facilities

As Medicare Advantage (MA) continues to grow in popularity, hospitals, particularly Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs), are finding themselves grappling with new challenges. While MA plans offer expanded benefits to beneficiaries, they present significant financial and operational obstacles to healthcare providers. From delayed and denied payments to increased administrative burdens, these challenges are threatening the financial stability of hospitals, especially those that serve rural communities.