HealthMine Survey: Just 7% of Medicare Plan Members Connected to Plan on Social Media, versus 37% of Those 64-Years' Old and Under

DALLAS, Oct. 16, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- HealthMine survey data underscores that when members are connected to their health plan on social media, it helps members manage their health.   Thirty-seven percent (37%) of health plan members, aged 64 and under, are connected to their plan on social media.  This compares to 7% of Medicare plan members.  While these percentages of connections are low, 65% of Medicare plan members, and 78% of those age 64 and under, who are connected on social media, say the connections are helpful.  Social media connections cited include Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn. 

For Medicare members, 48% prefer to communicate with their plan via phone, while 31% communicate digitally (email, text, website or mobile app), and 21% by snail mail.  This compares to just 10% of plan members age 64 and under who prefer communication via phone, 70% digitally and 20% via regular mail.

According to Bryce Williams, president and CEO of HealthMine, "These data show that plans must communicate with members using the member's preferred method. It is not just Medicare members who may prefer the phone.  There are times every member needs to talk to trained specialists to better understand an issue regarding their plan and health. We have learned this in running advanced digital communication programs that include sophisticated call centers with millions of minutes on the phone guiding seniors in choosing health plans. However, more plan members, and more Medicare plan members will be using digital connectivity and social media to interact with their plan – sophisticated plans are meeting members on their terms," he said.  

About the Surveys
The HealthMine Medicare Plan Health Intelligence Survey queried 500 insured age 65+ consumers who are enrolled in a Medicare program. The survey was fielded by Survey Sampling International (SSI) in June/July 2017. The HealthMine Digital Healthcare Tools Survey queried 750 consumers age 64-years or younger enrolled in a sponsored insurance plan in the first quarter of 2017. Data for both surveys were collected via an opt-in panel. The margin of error was 4%. Survey Sampling International (SSI) has been the Worldwide Leader in Survey Sampling and Data Collection Solutions, across every mode, for 37 years.

About HealthMine
HealthMine is a leading healthcare technology company that delivers Health Intelligence for plan members and plan sponsors. HealthMine's cloud-based Health Intelligence Solution facilitates better health outcomes and lowers healthcare costs by providing: 1) insight into health status and risk, 2) clinical guidance on necessary health actions, 3) personalized motivation to close gaps in care and 4) measurement of outcomes. The Health Intelligence Solution derives business value from all clinical and lifestyle health data including data from existing wellness programs. HealthMine has more than 1 million users and has saved health plan sponsors more than $100 million in healthcare costs. HealthMine is on the web at www.healthmine.com.

* Total percentages may exceed 100% because respondents were able to choose multiple responses.

SOURCE HealthMine

Related Links

http://www.healthmine.com