Medicare Eligible Seniors Survey Findings: Technology, COVID-19, the 2020 Election and More

Our previous healthinsurance.com surveys have covered how COVID-19 is impacting our economy, mental health, telemedicine usage, self-care and more.

But our most recent survey focuses on an important group: Seniors. Our latest Medicare-eligible seniors survey of 1,000+ Americans ages 64 and up asked questions about life during the coronavirus pandemic, their use of technology, their Medicare plans, their feelings toward the 2020 election, and more.

Medicare Eligible Seniors Survey Results

One important takeaway from this survey is that seniors are embracing technology in new ways during the coronavirus pandemic. More than half of the respondents agreed that they have been using technology more during the pandemic.

Seniors are using technology for:

• Healthcare: They're receiving virtual care through telemedicine, ordering prescriptions online and monitoring their health through wearables.
• Information: They're using social media to stay informed on relevant news.
• Communication: They're staying in touch with family and friends via texting, phone calls, video chat, and social media.
• Entertainment: They're binge watching their favorite shows on smart TVs and streaming devices.

Top Findings: Technology Use Among Seniors in 2020

• 89% have a smartphone.
• 83% use Facebook the most.
• 75% have a smart TV or streaming device.
• 73% use social media.
• 68% have an iPad or other type of tablet.
• 66% still have cable TV.
• 61% feel they have embraced technology more during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• 54% video chat with their kids and grandkids.
• 50% have video chatted more since the start of COVID-19.
• 47% binge watch shows.
• 43% would wear a device that helped maintain appropriate social distance during the COVID-19 pandemic and alert others if they are too close.

Life During COVID-19

• 64% have only left the house to go food shopping or to the pharmacy during COVID-19.
• 62% have seen their kids or grandkids in person since mid-March.
• 54% have put off a dentist appointment because of COVID-19.
• 27% have left their house whenever they wanted during COVID-19.

2020 Medicare Usage and Preferences

• 97% say their doctor accepts Medicare.
• 69% with a Medicare Advantage plan are happy with it.
• 37% think seniors who have a Medicare Advantage plan and contract COVID-19 are getting better care.
• 26% intend to switch from an Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage plan during the next Medicare Annual Enrollment Period.
• 22% intend to change their Medicare Part D prescription drug plan during the next Medicare Open Enrollment Period.
• 20% plan to adjust their Medicare plan during the next Medicare Annual Enrollment Period.

Prescription Drugs

• 89% think prescription drug prices are too high.
• 36% spend more than $50 a month on prescription drugs.
• 34% order prescriptions from an online pharmacy.

Medical Costs

• 66% are worried about out-of-pocket costs.
• 62% are you worried about receiving an unexpected medical bill.
• 50% have money set aside for their children or family to use for their health needs.
• 36% have put off seeing a doctor because of cost.
• 35% are worried about contracting COVID-19 because they may be hit with a surprise bill.

Telemedicine Usage

• 68% of those who haven’t used telemedicine during COVID-19 say its because they haven’t needed to.
• 58% have used telemedicine just once during COVID-19.
• 44% have used telemedicine during COVID-19
• 43% intend on using telemedicine once COVID-19 passes

The 2020 Presidential Election

• 92% say lowering drug prices is an important topic in the upcoming election.
• 84% haven’t seen the country more divided in their lifetime than it is now.
• 68% say the economy and healthcare are the two most important issues to them in the 2020 election.
• 58% will vote via mail-in ballot in November.
• 42% will vote in person in November.

Methodology

The above results were gathered through an online poll of more than 1,000 Medicare eligible Americans ages 64+. The poll was conducted from July 20, 2020 to July 21, 2020, gleaning representative samples from each state based on population.

More Healthinsurance.com Surveys

• August 2020: Multigenerational Perspectives on COVID-19
• June 2020: Healthcare Technology, Self-Care and More
• May 2020: Testing, Mental Health, and More
• April 2020: Economic Impacts and Health Insurance Trends
• March 2020: Telemedicine Usage During COVID-19