In February, the Association conducted an online healthcare survey to better understand members’ experiences with insurance coverage, healthcare access, and costs. A total of 3,390 members responded, with more than 65 percent of responses submitted on February 6 and the remainder through February 12.
THANK YOU FOR PARTICIPATING, YOUR INPUT IS INVALUABLE. STAY TUNED TO OUR NEXT ONLINE SURVEY FOR YOUR THOUGHTS ON CONTROLLING COSTS.
The survey confirms that the vast majority of respondents are Medicare-eligible retirees, representing 84 percent of participants. Most respondents are covered by the state’s Group Insurance Commission (GIC), accounting for 76 percent of members, while 22 percent are insured through a local municipal plan.
Encouragingly, most respondents report that healthcare costs have not prevented them from receiving care. Ninety-two percent said they had not avoided medical care due to out-of-pocket costs during the past year, and 97 percent reported they have not carried unpaid medical debt within the last five years.
When it comes to prescription medications, 78 percent of respondents obtain their prescriptions at retail pharmacies, while 22 percent utilize mail-order services.
The survey also asked members about their use of healthcare services. While emergency room visits averaged one to three visits in the past year, responses suggest that urgent care centers are increasingly being used as an alternative to the emergency room for non-emergency situations.
Members were also asked what factors are most important when choosing a health insurance plan. Two themes clearly stood out: access to care and affordability. Respondents emphasized the importance of maintaining access to doctors, specialists, and hospitals while keeping costs manageable.
When asked where improvements are most needed, healthcare costs were the most frequently mentioned concern, particularly the price of prescription drugs, copayments, and treatment expenses. Some respondents also raised concerns about network limitations and coverage levels within dental plans.
The survey also included questions related to hearing aid coverage, where responses indicated that nearly three-quarters of respondents reported never utilizing hearing aid benefits, while smaller percentages reported replacing hearing aids every one to two years.
These results provide valuable insight as the Association continues its advocacy work on behalf of retirees, particularly in areas related to healthcare affordability, access to providers, and prescription drug costs.