Medicare
Most older adults spend under an hour choosing Medicare coverage, and few switch plans, poll finds
A University of Michigan poll found 80% of older adults kept the same plan and only 15% knew about a Plan Finder tool that checks doctor networks, even as 92% said they felt confident.
Key facts
- The University of Michigan National Poll on Healthy Aging, released October 15, asked adults 65 and older how they make Medicare decisions.
- About 60% spent less than an hour: 27% spent no time at all, and 33% spent under an hour.
- Eighty percent stayed in the same plan, and 92% said they felt confident in their choice.
What happened
The University of Michigan National Poll on Healthy Aging, released October 15, asked adults 65 and older how they make Medicare decisions. About 60% spent less than an hour: 27% spent no time at all, and 33% spent under an hour. Eighty percent stayed in the same plan, and 92% said they felt confident in their choice.
People leaned on different sources: 26% named a broker or agent as most important, 25% Medicare's own tools, 21% plan websites, and 5% State Health Insurance Assistance Programs. Awareness of recent changes was low. Only 38% knew Medicare now negotiates some drug prices, 29% knew about deductible and drug cost cap changes, and 15% knew Plan Finder can show whether doctors are in network. Top priorities were out-of-pocket costs (69%), drug coverage (63%) and provider networks (62%).
What it means for families
Confidence and a quick review are not the same thing. With plans changing for 2027, staying put by default can mean a higher bill or losing a doctor.
For example: a father who renewed automatically for years may not notice his insulin moved to a higher tier until he is at the pharmacy in January.
Brokers can be helpful, but many are paid by insurers and may not show every plan. A free counselor has no stake in the choice.
What this means in New York: HIICAP, New York's SHIP, offers free one-on-one counseling at 1-800-701-0501, and it is not selling plans.
What to do this week
- Set aside an hour with a parent before December 7 to compare their current plan with at least two others.
- Use Plan Finder to check that each doctor and pharmacy is in network.
- Book a free HIICAP appointment if the choice is confusing.
Sources
More from Medicaid
- Judge blocks stricter 'medically frail' test in Medicaid work rules
- Medicare proposal could cut off remote monitoring for many patients, especially in rural areas
- First study of Medicare's prior authorization pilot finds use of targeted services fell