April 2009
How Are Seniors Shopping Medicare Plans?

A recent survey looked at Medicare plan shopping behaviors for CY2009.* The study revealed some unexpected results. Results that surprised some of the savviest of Medicare marketers. The shopping trend for seniors in 2009 showed that 72% were satisfied with their 2008 Plan and did not actively look elsewhere. That's great news in terms of retention, but what about the other 28%? The survey shows they were either unsatisfied with their Plan, or satisfied, but still shopping and considered a switch. That’s great news for new acquisitions.

These, in addition to other current research results are changing how we approach our messaging and communications strategy for CY2010. One study sampled where Seniors get their information on Medicare. It compared the perceptions of leading marketers to seniors’ actual informational sources for Medicare insurance and the contrasts were significant and surprising.

*Source: Morpace Omnibus Dec. 08/Jan. 09