A survey published by the National Agency for Supplementary Health (ANS) on Wednesday (24) revealed that in December last year the sector amounted to 51,081,018 users of medical assistance plans, surpassing for the first time the 51 million mark. In turn, exclusively dental plans registered 32,668,175 beneficiaries. The sector has 680 active medical and hospital workers with beneficiaries and 238 active dental workers exclusively with beneficiaries.
In one year, hospital medical plans increased by 957,197 beneficiaries compared to December 2022. Compared to November 2023, the growth was 150,118 users. In the case of dental plans exclusively, there was an increase of 2,469,502 beneficiaries in 12 months; And 287,751 compared to December 2023 with the previous month.
Data by state show that, compared to December 2022, the sector registered an increase in the number of beneficiaries of medical assistance plans in 26 federal units, with a greater increase in the number of beneficiaries, in absolute terms, as observed in São Paulo, Minas Gerais and Rio de January. . Among the dental plans, 26 federal units registered an increase in the year-over-year comparison, with the greatest growth, in absolute terms, in São Paulo, Minas Gerais and Rio Grande do Sul.
The age group from 45 to 49 years was the one that showed the most prominent growth in medical assistance, as the number of new beneficiaries reached 240,716 during the past 12 months, followed by the age group from 40 to 44 years (183,201 new beneficiaries). In the case of dental plans, it was also these ranges that recorded the largest expansions: from 281,144 beneficiaries, for those ages 45 to 49, and 253,934 users, for those ages 40 to 44.
Hot economy
“This growth in the number of beneficiaries of the health plan is accompanied by a warming movement in the country’s economy, as preliminary data indicate a growth in Brazil’s GDP (gross domestic product, the sum of all goods and services produced) of 3%, in 2023,” highlighted the development director. Sector in ANS, Mauricio Nunes.
He also confirmed that 1.9 million formal jobs were created between January and November last year in the country, according to the General Register of Workers and Unemployed (Caged). “This directly reflects the increase in the number of beneficiaries of corporate group plans, which rose from 34.8 million in January 2023, to 36 million in December.”
The National News Agency explained through its press office that the numbers may be subject to changes depending on the monthly reviews carried out by operators.
