8 in 10 Older Americans Believe They Are Prepared to Age Well, But Need Help Understanding Their Benefits and Navigating the Health Care System - Seite 2

Detailed findings highlight unique attitudes and challenges that each gender experiences when it comes to understanding, affording and accessing care.

According to the survey, women are more likely than men to report at least one challenge with navigating the health care system (65% vs. 52%, respectively), such as communicating effectively with their health care provider, knowing their health plan benefits, and understanding their diagnoses and treatments.

In addition, women are less likely than men to feel confident about having all the information they need to make health insurance decisions (77% vs. 84%, respectively). Men are more likely than women to agree that consulting their health insurance provider to better utilize the system would help them navigate the health care system better (31% vs. 23%, respectively).

Survey of Adult Caregivers* Cites Low Confidence in Navigating System; Limited Understanding of Benefits

A complementary survey fielded by The Harris Poll among adult caregivers (U.S. adults ages 18+ who have care recipients) found this group has lower confidence navigating the health care system than older adults. Specifically, the survey found that nearly eight in ten (79%) caregivers believe that they would be better able to help the person they care for manage their health if they better understood their care recipient’s benefits. Caregivers surveyed identified several options that would help them better navigate the health care system on behalf of individuals, including: talking to the person’s doctor; reading reviews and other self-help tools; and consulting the health insurance provider to which the person they’re caring for belongs.

Despite identifying several options that would help them better navigate the health care system, 77 percent of caregivers surveyed consider the health insurance provider of the person they care for as a partner in their healthy aging.

Experts Collaborate to Provide Resources to Older Americans and Caregivers

“Our goal is to simplify the health care experience, so that all Americans feel empowered to manage their health and fully utilize their benefits,” said Martin Esquivel, Vice President, Product Management at Anthem’s Medicare Business. “Anthem continually develops programs that aim to make it easier for Medicare-eligible individuals and the people who support them to better understand Medicare plans and how the services available can help consumers improve their well-being. Giving individuals access to high-quality, affordable health care services is a responsibility that we take to heart.”