A study has found that 27 percent of Medicare Advantage and Supplemental Medicare insurance customers intend to shop for and possibly switch their coverage. This is up from 20 percent in 2008.
The trend of switching insurance coverage has been growing. Researchers at Deft Research, LLC, based in Minneapolis, are forecasting a 15 percent to 19 percent change in the senior market, a four-year high.
Research indicates that while health insurers have improved senior loyalty over the past year, more seniors rare becoming active consumers and looking for insurance that may suit them better.
According to the study, Kaiser Foundation Health Plans has the most loyal customers, and the AARP's Supplemental Medicare insurance (Medsupp), offered through United Healthcare, has the most loyal customer base among Medsupp carriers.
Other companies profiled include Aetna, Wellpoint-Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, the BCBS plans of Minnesota, Florida and Michigan, the Health Care Services Corporation (also a BCBS affiliate), Humana, Mutual of Omaha, United Healthcare and Coventry.