Open AccessPlan Switching and Stickiness in Medicare Advantage: A Qualitative Interview With Medicare Advantage Beneficiaries
Author(s) -
Maricruz RiveraHernandez,
Kristy L. Blackwood,
Kyle Moody,
Amal N. Trivedi
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
medical care research and review
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.433
H-Index - 85
eISSN - 1552-6801
pISSN - 1077-5587
DOI - 10.1177/1077558720944284
Subject(s) - medicare advantage , plan (archaeology) , incentive , confusion , health plan , incentive program , business , actuarial science , health care , medicine , nursing , psychology , economics , economic growth , archaeology , psychoanalysis , history , microeconomics
Approximately 34% of all Medicare beneficiaries were enrolled in a Medicare Advantage (MA) plan in 2019. Quantitative evidence suggests that MA beneficiaries have low rates of switching plans, but that beneficiaries who are hospitalized or use postacute nursing home care are disproportionately more likely to exit their plan. This research sought to explore how MA enrollees choose plans and the factors involved in their decision to keep their current plan or switch plans. We conducted 25 semistructured interviews focusing on expectations and experiences preenrollment and postenrollment among MA beneficiaries. Overall, the beneficiaries interviewed reported being highly satisfied with their plans. After selecting a plan, there was little incentive to revisit their choice since they viewed their plan as "good enough." Confusion, health status, cost and benefits also contributed to many seniors keeping or switching their plans. These seniors were reluctant to switch plans unless they experienced a major health event.