Choosing Medicare Coverage: Older Adults’ Views and Experiences
Article Publication Date
Summary
The University of Michigan recently released a report summarizing findings from the National Poll on Healthy Aging on older adults’ experiences selecting Medicare coverage.
Medicare provides healthcare coverage for tens of millions of older Americans, but comparing and deciding on coverage options between traditional Medicare and Medicare Advantage plans during Open Enrollment can be complicated. Changes to Medicare policy add further complexity to Medicare enrollment decision-making and can potentially impact older adults’ care and costs. Key findings from this report include:
• 96% of those with Medicare coverage in 2025 said they were somewhat or very satisfied with their Medicare coverage that year.
• 27% with any form of Medicare coverage in 2026 did not review their 2026 Medicare coverage options before or during Medicare’s Open Enrollment period, whereas 33% reviewed for less than an hour, and 40% reviewed for an hour or more.
• 20% chose different Medicare coverage in 2026 compared to their 2025 Medicare selection.
Medicare provides healthcare coverage for tens of millions of older Americans, but comparing and deciding on coverage options between traditional Medicare and Medicare Advantage plans during Open Enrollment can be complicated. Changes to Medicare policy add further complexity to Medicare enrollment decision-making and can potentially impact older adults’ care and costs. Key findings from this report include:
• 96% of those with Medicare coverage in 2025 said they were somewhat or very satisfied with their Medicare coverage that year.
• 27% with any form of Medicare coverage in 2026 did not review their 2026 Medicare coverage options before or during Medicare’s Open Enrollment period, whereas 33% reviewed for less than an hour, and 40% reviewed for an hour or more.
• 20% chose different Medicare coverage in 2026 compared to their 2025 Medicare selection.