Medicare Beneficiaries Delay Care Due to Coverage Confusion, Turn to AI for Help
Event summary
- 48% of Medicare beneficiaries skipped or delayed medical care in the past year due to confusion over their coverage.
- 54% delayed care or filling prescriptions due to out-of-pocket cost concerns.
- 62% plan to use AI tools to compare Medicare plan options during the 2026 Annual Enrollment Period.
- 58% suspect they have been targeted by Medicare-related scams.
The big picture
The survey highlights significant challenges in the Medicare market, including cost pressures and confusion over coverage options. As beneficiaries increasingly turn to AI for assistance, the industry must address both the accuracy of these tools and the vulnerability to scams. The findings underscore the need for better educational resources and support during the Annual Enrollment Period, particularly as more beneficiaries prioritize coverage for high-demand treatments like GLP-1 drugs.
What we're watching
- AI Adoption
- How the growing reliance on AI tools for Medicare plan comparison will impact decision-making accuracy and trust levels among beneficiaries.
- Scam Vulnerability
- Whether increased awareness of Medicare-related scams will lead to more protective measures from regulators and insurers.
- Coverage Shifts
- The pace at which Medicare Supplement enrollees transition to Medicare Advantage plans due to high premiums.