A study done by the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) found that senior citizens admitted to being less than suitably knowledgeable concerning their Medicare choices upon enrollment for Medicare Plans.  Many attributed the gap of familiarity with Medicare’s range of plans and benefits to the confusing and vague medicare.gov website and “Medicare Compare” tool that many identified as “poorly constructed” according to the study. 

The technology gap amongst seniors is important to identify, as many seniors are currently in Medicare plans that are unsuitable for their current medical needs, and less beneficial than other more affordable healthcare plans.  As a result, seniors are taking on high out-of-pocket expenses as they navigate unfitting Medicare plans.

Why are so many seniors in the wrong Medicare program? 

It seems that many seniors are complaining of struggling with a combination of their own lack of understanding regarding how to easily use computers and the internet to research affordable Medicare programs, and the unease of use of the medicare.gov website itself. 

Some Seniors admit the process was so strenuous their first time around that they actually preferred to avoid the stress of doing further research every year during their window to switch plans regardless of whether their health care needs had changed. Others explained that they believed they had done ample research to pick the most suitable and affordable Medicare plan the first time around, that changing their plan years later had not occurred to them as being cost affective or beneficial, again regardless of whether their health status had changed.

Changes to health may require changes in plans

This lack of comfortability with changing plans can be especially problematic when seniors have health changes with time that require additional assistance such as dental and vision coverage that a Medicare Advantage Plan might cover that Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) would not.   Some seniors require either the addition of a Medicare supplement plan or the transition into an Advantage plan to offset the costs of copays and prescription medication.

Some seniors who enroll in a Medicare Advantage Plan go years without facing any issues, only to be thrown for a loop when their primary care provider is dropped from their plan. The result is a stressful process that requires research, time and effort on the part of seniors to find new doctors in their network.

What you can do

Because of the stress associated with changing Medicare plans, many seniors choose to remain in their plan, costing them undue stress, time and money.  Seniors need to be enrolled in programs that are most affordable and most beneficial to them personally, and with the wide array of Medicare advertisements in mail and online, many seniors are finding it difficult to decipher which plan is best for them.  Knowing which plan is right could result in thousands of dollars in Medicare savings for individuals and for the government.

Shopping online for Medicare is a quick and easy way for seniors to compare Medicare insurance rates without risk. You can review pricing and plan coverage, then compare it to your current healthcare plan. If a competitor provides better rates for stronger coverage, you can make the change online. There’s no commitment required.

Shop for Medicare plans online by request a free quote from GetBestMedicare.com today.