8 in 10 Older Americans Believe They Are Prepared to Age Well, But Need Help Understanding Their Benefits and Navigating the Health Care System

A majority of older Americans (ages 60+) (79%) are prepared to age well, but nearly 7 in 10 (68%) are at least somewhat concerned about their health as they age, and nearly half (46%) need help understanding their health insurance benefits once they have chosen a plan. A survey conducted by The Harris Poll, commissioned by Anthem, Inc. and the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging (n4a), reveals that while most respondents are confident in some aspects of navigating the health care system, there is opportunity for better understanding of their benefits, bill, diagnosis and treatment. An infographic outlining the survey results is available here.

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Older Americans Express Confidence in Health Insurance, Health Providers to Guide Their Health Decisions

Among the respondents, which included U.S. adults ages 60 and older, 65 percent reported that they had some type of Medicare insurance coverage. More than 8 in 10 older adults expressed confidence regarding:

• Finding a provider that accepts their insurance (88%)
• Understanding insurance options available to them (84%)
• Understanding their health insurance benefits (83%)

Despite this confidence, 42 percent believe better understanding their insurance benefits would empower them to better manage their health.

Many older adults (59%) still find at least one thing difficult when navigating the health care system, such as understanding their benefits; understanding their diagnoses and deciding on treatment; and communicating effectively with their health care providers. They currently seek out the following resources to help them better navigate the health care system:

• Talking to their doctor (43%)
• Consulting their health insurance provider (26%)
• Having a patient navigator who helps them navigate the logistics of their care and the health care system (23%)

Over Half of Non-Retired Older Americans Need More Help Understanding Benefits vs. Retirees

Employment plays a large role for older Americans when it comes to understanding their health care plans. According to the survey:

• More than half of non-retired older adults at least somewhat agree that they need help understanding their benefits once they have chosen a plan, compared to about two in five retired adults (54% vs. 41%, respectively).
• More than three in five non-retired adults would like to work with a Medicare education counselor to help them understand and better use their health insurance benefits compared to fewer than half of retired adults (61% vs. 47%, respectively).

Women Report Greater Challenges in Managing Their Care; Men More Likely to Ask for Help