A majority of seniors skip researching their Medicare options before enrollment, according to a new poll from the University of Michigan’s National Poll on Healthy Aging. The findings show that 60% of seniors spend less than an hour reviewing their annual Medicare coverage, with 27% doing no research at all.
The data highlights a pattern of inertia among Medicare enrollees. Four out of five seniors (80%) simply renew their previous year’s plan without comparing alternatives. Many assume their current coverage is optimal, even as Medicare’s rules and available plans shift each year.
Most seniors rely on limited sources when evaluating their choices. Medicare’s own tools, the website’s plan-finder or the hotline, were the top resource for 25% of respondents. Another 26% turned to insurance brokers, while 21% used health plan websites. Only 5% cited free local counselors, such as those from the federally funded State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP), as their primary source.
Awareness of recent Medicare changes remains low. Just 38% knew about lower prices for 10 high-cost drugs after Medicare’s new price-negotiation authority took effect. Fewer still (29%) were aware of higher deductibles and out-of-pocket caps for prescription drug plans. Only 15% had heard of the updated Plan Finder tool, which helps identify in-network doctors under Medicare Advantage plans.
Yet when asked what matters most in choosing coverage, seniors prioritized out-of-pocket costs (69%), medication coverage (63%), and access to their preferred doctors (62%). The disconnect between awareness and priorities suggests many miss opportunities to tailor their plans to their needs.
A key reason for the lack of engagement is the complexity of Medicare’s options. Plans available one year may vanish the next as insurers adjust their offerings. The University of Michigan’s poll director, Dr. Jeffrey Kullgren, noted that Medicare Advantage and prescription drug plans frequently change based on insurers’ business decisions. This volatility makes annual reviews essential, but few seniors act on it.
The poll surveyed 1,796 U.S. seniors aged 65 to 98, with a margin of error of 1 to 2 percentage points. The findings show a broader trend: Medicare decisions often hinge on habit rather than informed choice, despite their long-term impact on health and finances.