Study Finds MA Networks Limit Access to Top Nursing Homes
A Health Affairs study published in November 2026 found Medicare Advantage enrollees were less likely than traditional Medicare beneficiaries to receive post-hospital care at top-rated skilled nursing facilities or at facilities near their homes. Researchers examined more than 1.45 million Medicare beneficiaries discharged to skilled nursing facilities in 2022, finding MA enrollees in narrow-network plans were 22% less likely to enter a five-star facility, and those in broader networks were still 13% less likely. Higher-quality facilities with stronger nurse staffing were more often excluded from MA networks, and Black, Hispanic, and Asian beneficiaries, along with people dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid, were more likely to be enrolled in plans with narrower networks. Researchers say current federal network adequacy standards are weak and recommend stronger requirements to ensure access to high-quality facilities.