Medicare Advantage, Medicare supplement members are equally satisfied with coverage but have different worries

Medicare Advantage and Medicare supplement enrollees both reported high levels of satisfaction with their coverage, according to a survey from eHealth. 

In the survey, published March 21, 89 percent of Medicare Advantage enrollees said they were satisfied with their coverage, and 87 percent of enrollees in Medicare supplement plans said the same. 

Though respondents to eHealth's survey reported similar levels of satisfaction with their coverage, enrollees differed in several other areas. 

  • Medicare supplement enrollees reported higher incomes than their counterparts in Medicare Advantage. Half of Medicare supplement enrollees reported an annual income higher than $50,000, compared to 27 percent of MA enrollees. 

  • Around half of Medicare Advantage enrollees said they could not afford any Medicare coverage with premium costs. Just 12 percent of Medicare supplement enrollees said they could not afford any monthly premium, and around 6 in 10 said they could afford premiums of $100 per month or more. 

  • Medicare supplement enrollees were more likely to report having enough in savings to cover their maximum out-of-pocket costs if they are hospitalized. Six in 10 Medicare supplement enrollees reported having enough savings, compared to 4 in 10 MA enrollees. 

  • Enrollees reported different concerns. Medicare supplement enrollees were more likely to list having their Medicare benefits reduced as their top future healthcare worry. Medicare Advantage enrollees were more likely to report concerns about not being able to afford their care. 

The survey, conducted in February 2023, gathered responses from 3,880 people who bought Medicare Advantage or Medicare supplement plans through eHealth. 

Read more here. 

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