Public Payers News

90% Medicare Supplemental Plan Members Report Satisfaction

A majority of beneficiaries reported high satisfaction with the plan and seek costs that remain the same.

Medicare supplemental plan members report very high satisfaction with plans

Source: Thinkstock

By Thomas Beaton

- Over 90 percent of Medicare supplemental plan beneficiaries cited satisfaction with their healthcare coverage, according to a recent AHIP study. Findings point out ways for payers to provide consumer-friendly health plans to a growing senior citizen market.

Medicare supplemental plans offer unique coverage for out-of-pocket costs including deductibles, coinsurance, and copays that regular Medicare doesn’t provide beneficiaries. These older beneficiaries see these plans as a way to remain financially secure while having access to quality healthcare services.

“The response to this survey was clear – Medicare supplemental insurance continues to offer tremendous value to millions of seniors,” said Tom Meyers, AHIP Vice President of Product Policy, in an accompanying statement. “That’s why so many choose these innovative plans to help bolster their coverage, promote overall health and wellness, and provide financial security.”

Medicare supplemental plans also had higher satisfaction rates than traditional Medicare coverage, with 71 percent of beneficiaries very satisfied with their Medicare supplemental coverage compared 68 percent for those enrolled in traditional Medicare.

The highest valued benefits among senior citizens in Medicare supplemental plans were the expenses not covered by regular Medicare. Seventy-seven percent of Medicare supplemental plan enrollees viewed hospital expenses not covered by regular Medicare as one of their two most valuable benefits. Another 70 percent of Medicare supplemental beneficiaries said that a very valuable benefit in their plans was the physician expenses covered that aren’t covered under traditional Medicare.

Other benefits Medicare supplemental beneficiaries found valuable included guaranteed and renewable coverage (20 percent), coverage for durable medical equipment like wheelchairs and hearing aids (11 percent), and coverage within both skilled nursing facilities (6 percent) and hospice care (6 percent.)

Most beneficiaries enrolled in Medicare supplemental plans view their health plan quality between “excellent” (33 percent) and good (45 percent). Only 20 percent of beneficiaries reported that the quality of plans was fair while only 2 percent said plan quality was poor.

Insurance provider ratings and their customer service operations within Medicare supplemental plans received highly positive reviews from beneficiaries. Seventy-five percent of supplemental plan members were extremely satisfied in their insurance carrier’s process for enrollment and policy renewal. 

Insurance carrier satisfaction ratings with Medicare Supplemental plan management

Source: AHIP

Another 73 percent reported extreme satisfaction in the services covered, 68 percent were extremely satisfied with the ability contact their payer with questions, and another 68 percent were highly satisfied with the payer responsiveness to questions.

Senior citizens covered under these supplemental plans strongly agree that their coverage and benefits make it easier to receive and manage their healthcare access and costs.

Sixty-eight percent of Medicare supplemental plan beneficiaries strongly agreed that their coverage allowed them to see the doctors and hospitals they trust without worrying about out-of-pocket costs. Another 61 percent said that the plans allow them to actively receive high-quality care.

Additionally, 61 percent of beneficiaries strongly agreed that these plans made it easier to deal with medical bills and paperwork, 57 percent said the plans protect them against unexpected medical costs, and 52 percent agreed that the plans do their part to ensure renewable coverage.

The Medicare supplemental plan beneficiaries also strongly oppose changes in policy that would affect the coverage, benefits, and access to healthcare offered through their plans. Eighty-four percent of beneficiaries cited extreme concerns about the potential elimination of Medicare supplemental coverage, and another 83 percent reported equal concerns for changes in coverage that could increase out-of-pocket costs by more $100.

Seventy-two percent had significant worries that they would lose financial security should supplemental plans not be offered, and 65 percent worried that they wouldn’t be able to afford co-pays or coinsurance that is usually covered under supplemental plans.

Payers that offer Medicare supplemental plans may have a market advantage within the senior citizen of the market since these plans have high consumer satisfaction and consumer retention at their current cost and rate.