Elderly customers are more likely than younger ones to opt for short-term insurance as an affordable alternative to Affordable Care Act (ACA) plans, according to a report published by eHealth.
eHealth offers private online health insurance exchange services to individuals, families, and small businesses.
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The new survey, in which nearly more than 800 short-term health insurance enrolees participated, revealed that affordability is an important aspect while buying short-term coverage.
Affordability is key for short-term coverage
Almost 70% of respondents aged between 55 and 64 said that affordability as their primary reason for choosing short-term coverage, compared to 53% of young adults aged between 18 and 24.
About 88% of the respondents between 55 and 64 years of age said they consider low premiums more important than comprehensive benefits, compared to 78% of those aged between 18 and 24.
Short-term for elder customers health insurance
According to the survey, some 64% of the older people would like to retain short-term coverage for seven months or longer; against 56% of those between the ages of 18 and 24 who said they will not continue their short-term coverage for no more than six months
eHealth CEO Scott Flanders said: “At eHealth we believe comprehensive coverage is always best, but the fact is that many middle-class Americans don’t qualify for subsidies and cannot afford comprehensive ACA plans.
“As demonstrated by our survey results, affordability may be a greater concern for older Americans who face significantly higher monthly premiums than younger adults when buying ACA coverage. Short-term plans may offer many their only alternative to going uninsured.”
More than nine in 10 enrolees said they are very satisfied (41%) or somewhat satisfied (51%) with their short-term plan. Almost 86% of those who received medical care under their short-term plan are very or somewhat satisfied.
