Competition in the California Medicare Advantage market continues to run at a fast pace. While some firms are eliminating products and plans, others are expanding their service areas and new plans are starting up. Enrollment continues to increase as companies step in to capitalize on the opportunities that come with change, and statewide MA enrollment was above 1.66 million on March 1, 2010. The pace of growth – 4.6% since March 2009 – slowed a bit from the previous year’s 5.7% rate, but even so, penetration increased to 35.5% as enrollment growth exceeded growth in the state’s Medicare population.

This report was published in Medicare Business Online in April 2010. Copies are available on request.