[June 11, 2018] |
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eHealth Review of More Than One Million Consumer Calls Reveals Most Seniors on Medicare With Fixed Incomes Don't Know About Savings Programs
More than four in ten people over the age of 65 rely on a monthly Social
Security check for 90
percent or more of their income. Not surprisingly, large numbers
seek help each year to manage rising health care costs. Based on more
than one million customer service calls fielded in 2017, eHealth, Inc.
(NASDAQ: EHTH) (Medicare.com
and eHealthMedicare.com)
has identified the three money-saving opportunities most commonly
overlooked by lower-income Medicare beneficiaries.
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Medicare Savings Programs: Most people who call eHealth looking
for help to lower their costs don't know about Medicare
Savings Programs that can help them pay for Part A and Part B
premiums and out-of-pocket medical costs associated with deductibles
and co-pays. In addition, growing numbers of seniors who qualify for
Medicaid are unaware of their eligibility for special Medicare
Advantage plans that offer broader provider networks and richer
medical benefits than available under Medicaid alone. In 2017, 60
percent of calls fielded by eHealth's Medicare customer service line
involved helping beneficiaries connect to Medicare Savings Programs,
the Extra Help program and dual-eligible special needs Medicare
Advantage plans.
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Extra Help with Drug Costs: According to the Kaiser
Family Foundation, Medicare Part D enrollees spend about $500 per
year on average for prescription drug costs, an amount that is
expected to grow significantly in the next decade. Seniors struggling
to pay for prescription drugs are in search of ways to lower their
costs. Many are surprised to learn that they qualify for and can
receive free assistance by signing up for Extra
Help -- the Medicare program that limits drug costs for seniors
who meet income eligibility requirements. eHealth's data
show that 90 percent of those enrolled in Medicare prescription drug
coverage may be overpaying for their drugs, and could save more than
$500 per year on average by switching to a plan optimized for their
personal prescription regimen.
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Extra Benefits: Original Medicare doesn't cover benefits such
as dental, vision and hearing services. Exposure to high out-of-pocket
costs leaves
75 percent of Medicare beneficiaries who need a hearing aid unable
to obtain one; 70
percent of those unable to afford dental services report having
had trouble eating because of their teeth. eHealth's Medicare call
center fields many calls each month from people looking for ways to
help pay for these services. Most of the Medicare beneficiaries
eHealth talks to don't know that some Medicare Advantage plans can
cover such services and that there are standalone policies
specifically designed to provide benefits in these categories.
eHealth responds to thousands of calls each month and is committed to
educating Medicare beneficiaries about their coverage options and
cost-saving opportunities.
About eHealth
eHealth, Inc. (NASDAQ: EHTH) owns eHealth.com, a leading private online
health insurance exchange where individuals, families and small
businesses can compare health insurance products from brand-name
insurers side by side and purchase and enroll in coverage online and
over the phone. eHealth offers thousands of individual, family and small
business health plans underwritten by many of the nation's leading
health insurance companies. eHealth (through its subsidiaries) is
licensed to sell health insurance in all 50 states and the District of
Columbia. eHealth also offers educational resources, exceptional
telephonic support, and powerful online and pharmacy-based tools to help
Medicare beneficiaries navigate Medicare health insurance options,
choose the right plan and enroll in select plans online or over the
phone through Medicare.com (www.Medicare.com),
eHealthMedicare.com (www.eHealthMedicare.com),
goMedigap (www.goMedigap.com)
and PlanPrescriber.com (www.PlanPrescriber.com).
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180611005249/en/
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