Press release
eHealth Releases Health Insurance Trends: A Comprehensive Bi-Annual Study of the Health Care Industry
Regardless of party affiliation, most want the government to take action on drug costs, but they also value the role of private enterprise in Medicare Nearly
About this update from Ehealth, Inc.
[{"type":"text","content":"Regardless of party affiliation, most want the government to take action on drug costs, but they also value the role of private enterprise in Medicare\n Nearly two thirds (64%) would get a COVID booster shot if recommended, but that drops to 55% if shots become annual or biannual\n Minority populations are more likely to feel their coverage options don't address their racial/ethnic medical needs\n\n\nSANTA CLARA, Calif., Nov. 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Today eHealth, Inc. (NASDAQ: EHTH) published a new installment of its biannual Health Insurance Trends report, offering a comprehensive look at the state of the market in a period of transformation and new possibilities. The report presents findings of interest to consumers, elected representatives and policymakers, insurance industry leaders, and market analysts. Key findings include the following.\nWhat Medicare beneficiaries want – and don't want – from government:\n83% want the federal government to take action to lower the cost of prescription drugs by negotiating with pharmaceutical companies. This is true across political lines, including strong majorities of Democrats (93%), Republicans (73%), and Independents (84%). 92% want to see dental, vision, and hearing benefits added to traditional Medicare coverage, but only 50% feel the same if it would add to their costs. Among Medicare beneficiaries, majorities of Republicans (56%), Independents (56%) and Democrats (51%) say Medicare should continue to be operated through public/private cooperation. Only 16% overall want the government alone to run the program.How COVID's impact on consumers and insurers is more nuanced than you may think:\n64% would get a COVID booster shot, but willingness declines to 55% if shots are recommended 1-2 times per year. 76% of Democrat voters feel most businesses should be able to refuse service to unvaccinated Americans, but fewer than half (49%) of Black Americans agree. 38% of insurers have already reduced voluntarily-expanded COVID coverage, or plan to do so. However, only 12% plan to raise premiums as a result of the pandemic.How health insurance companies could do better addressing the needs of diverse communities:\n60% of Hispanic and 56% of Black respondents say they've had a surprise medical bill in the past 12 months, as do 54% of all women. By comparison, 46% of white respondents and 45% ...