Two fundamental elements of Medicare generate the greatest confusion amongst older Americans: the inevitable complexities of the thousands of Medicare plans available, but also the unjustifiably overcomplicated and outdated plan enrollment process.

To investigate this further, our team at Hella Health commissioned an independent survey of more than 1,000 current Medicare beneficiaries across the United States.

72% of survey respondents told us that they did not fully and completely understand their current Medicare plan features.

A comparable number – more than 70% of respondents – said that the current Medicare plan enrollment process can be improved.

72% did not completely understand their current Medicare plan features. 

Each of the 64 million older Americans enrolled in Medicare deserves a plan that fits their individual needs. More steps should also be taken to close these pervasive Medicare knowledge gaps – it is obviously problematic that a substantial majority of Medicare customers do not understand their health insurance.

Hella Health believes that the next generation of older Americans are different and ready to embrace new enrollment processes. Older Americans are asking why the old distribution model of pesky sales calls and limited transparency around features of their plans persists in 2022. Many beneficiaries are not notified when their prescription drugs change in price, with potentially massive individual repercussions.

While recent legislation to improve Medicare is welcome news, there is more that can be done to remedy these problems. A better way of choosing a Medicare plan would both simplify the enrollment process and clarify the confusion around coverage.

Digital technology represents a significant opportunity here – Medicare distribution remains stuck in the analog past. In part, this has been excused because of a belief that Medicare beneficiaries were less comfortable online. However, our new survey shows that more than three-fourths of respondents said they felt comfortable using online tools to select their Medicare plans.

Online tools are the simplest and most effective way to match older Americans with the plan that is right for their specific needs. Hella Health’s state-of-the-art digital advisor enables Medicare recipients to shop for plans on their own time and based on their own desires.

The Medicare plan selection and enrollment process does not have to be headache-inducing. Older Americans are telling us that they are comfortable with digital platforms. We are excited to see how Hella Health transforms Medicare shopping, helping beneficiaries lead happy healthy lives.

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Author Bio: Rafal Walkiewicz is the CEO and founder of Hella Health, the first 100% digital platform built to educate and enroll customers in Medicare plans. Rafal has a track record as a thought leader in the insurance industry. His innovative thinking and expertise in insurtech trends set him apart as a disruptor in a sector where change is long overdue. You can read some interviews here: https://bit.ly/3bMhGhz and https://bit.ly/3vVjzj0