Insurance influences final choice of seniors shopping for physician specialists

A February 2011 survey of 344 seniors 65 and older revealed that 71% have shopped for physicians, and 77% of those who do shop end up choosing a physician based on whether he or she accepts their insurance. The survey also revealed that the number one reason seniors shop for a physician, chosen by 63% of respondents, is to choose a specialist.

“These results show that a large majority of seniors surveyed feel empowered to comparison shop for physicians - especially specialists - but that the high cost of health care gives insurance considerations a disproportionate influence on their final choice”

The survey was fielded from February 14-20 by Extend Health, Inc., which operates the nation's largest private Medicare exchange.

"These results show that a large majority of seniors surveyed feel empowered to comparison shop for physicians - especially specialists - but that the high cost of health care gives insurance considerations a disproportionate influence on their final choice," said Bryce Williams, CEO of Extend Health.

Added Williams, "Given the outsized influence insurance has on where seniors go for medical care, seniors using a Medicare exchange have the advantage of being able to compare plans side by side and knowing upfront whether their physicians accept the plan. This and other benefits make seniors using an exchange the most empowered health care consumers in the country."

The questions and detailed results from the survey are as follows:

How often do you compare or "shop" for physicians before choosing one?

Under what circumstances do you compare and "shop" for physicians before choosing one? Select all that apply.

What factors do you consider in choosing a physician? Select all that apply.

Extend Health has helped more than 300,000 seniors compare and choose the private Medicare plans that best meets their needs and budgets. Extend Health is the only place seniors can compare more than 3,500 plans from 70 carriers side by side and find a plan that best meets their needs. Licensed benefit advisors are available to help seniors evaluate their Medicare coverage and explore new options quickly and easily.