A Commonwealth Fund survey out today suggests that older adults with low income are more likely to report they experienced fraudulent or deceptive advertising by health plan marketers during open enrollment than were their higher-income counterparts. In addition, many beneficiaries said they did not know how to file a complaint about suspicious marketing and advertising practices.
During Medicare’s annual open-enrollment period, older adults select between traditional Medicare and private Medicare Advantage plans. Many also select private prescription drug plans and Medigap plans that cover things Medicare does not. These private plans compete for customers, older adults are deluged with marketing calls, mailings, emails, and advertisements about plan choices.
The survey of adults 65 and older sought to better understand beneficiaries’ experiences with plan marketing and advertising efforts and how these tactics may have affected Medicare coverage decisions.