One-quarter of seniors have healthcare cost concerns

October 05 01:00 2015 by ushadmin

Managed care executives involved with Medicare Advantage products should consider the impact of product design and cost sharing on elderly consumers, according to the findings of a recent poll.

The poll of more than 500 seniors, conducted by the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Foundation and Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, found that more than one quarter of seniors aged 65 years and older are dissatisfied with their healthcare costs, and 23% say it has gotten harder to pay for healthcare over the past five years. Both concerns are higher among seniors who report poor health or a disability.

“The cost of healthcare is becoming an increasing challenge for consumers of all ages,” says Audrey Shelto, president, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Foundation. “Those with lower incomes or who have poor health and require more healthcare services are particularly impacted by the high out-of-pocket costs.”