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A University of Michigan poll of Medicare enrollees age 65 and older found that 60% spent less than an hour reviewing coverage options for 2026, including 27% who did not review options at all. Eight in 10 kept their previous coverage, even though 92% said they were at least somewhat confident making Medicare decisions.
Six in 10 Medicare enrollees age 65 and older spent less than an hour reviewing coverage options for 2026, and 80% kept their previous coverage, according to a University of Michigan poll. The findings, based on a survey conducted soon after enrollment, come ahead of the next open enrollment period, when beneficiaries can review coverage for 2027.
The poll found that 27% did not spend any time reviewing options, while another 33% reviewed them for less than an hour. The survey was conducted by the National Poll on Healthy Aging, based at the University of Michigan Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation. Respondents were Medicare enrollees age 65 and older drawn from a nationally representative sample of older adults.
Among respondents who reviewed available coverage, 25% named a Medicare resource—the Medicare website’s plan-finding tool or its hotline—as their most important source. Another 26% cited an insurance broker, 21% a health plan website and 5% a free local counselor, such as a State Health Insurance Assistance Program counselor. Despite the limited review time, 92% said they were somewhat or very confident about making Medicare coverage decisions.
The poll also asked about awareness of policy changes taking effect for 2026. Thirty-eight percent had heard that Medicare negotiated lower prices for 10 high-cost drugs. Awareness was lower for other changes: 29% knew about changes to drug deductibles and the annual cap on out-of-pocket prescription costs, while 15% had heard that the Medicare Plan Finder could show which providers are in network for a Medicare Advantage plan.
Time Spent Reviewing Medicare Options
The findings matter because Medicare coverage can affect health care access and out-of-pocket costs for a full year, while the poll suggests many older adults give plan comparisons little time. Keeping the same coverage may suit some people, but premiums, covered medications, provider networks and personal health needs can change. A plan that worked in one year may not remain the best fit.
Geoffrey Hoffman, an associate professor at the University of Michigan School of Nursing and an Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation member who studies Medicare, said the results point to a need for older adults—especially those dissatisfied with their current coverage—to review available options. He cautioned that people can assume a familiar plan remains their best choice. The poll does not establish that staying with a plan caused worse outcomes or that switching would improve them.
The low reported use of free local counselors also stands out: only 5% of reviewers named a SHIP counselor as their most important information source. Hoffman said these counselors do not have a financial stake in a beneficiary’s selection. The results could help direct attention toward available, impartial assistance, though the survey does not explain why people chose the sources they did.
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What the Poll Covered
The University of Michigan team gathered responses soon after the 2025 open enrollment period, asking older adults about the coverage they had in 2025 and the options they considered for 2026. The results reflect respondents’ reported decisions and information sources; they are not a measure of whether each person chose the most suitable plan.
The next open enrollment period for Medicare coverage in 2027 is scheduled for Oct. 15 through Dec. 7, 2026. The poll authors point to factors that can shape an individual choice, including health conditions, preferred doctors and hospitals, and prescribed medications. Lianlian Lei, a University of Michigan Medical School assistant professor who worked on the poll, said the best plan can differ even between members of the same couple.
The survey also found that awareness of several 2026 policy changes was limited. The effect of negotiated drug prices on an individual depends on the person’s Part D plan, according to the source report. Fifteen additional drugs are slated to be included on the Medicare Plan Finder for 2027. The poll figures describe awareness among respondents, not the number who were personally affected by each change.
“It’s easy to ‘set it and forget it’ with Medicare, especially if you have coverage that you like and assume it’s the best that’s out there.”
— Geoffrey Hoffman, University of Michigan School of Nursing associate professor and poll collaborator
What the Survey Cannot Establish
The poll reports how much time respondents said they spent and whether they changed coverage; it does not show whether their plans were suitable, whether they later faced unexpected costs, or why most kept their existing coverage. The reported confidence level is self-assessed and does not measure how well respondents understood plan details.
The source material does not provide the survey’s exact sample size, field dates, margin of error or detailed breakdowns by income, health status or type of Medicare coverage. It is also unclear how often respondents used more than one information source. The results should not be read as proof that all older adults make decisions too quickly or that changing plans is necessarily beneficial.
2027 Enrollment Begins in October
Medicare’s next open enrollment period is scheduled for Oct. 15 to Dec. 7, 2026, for coverage in 2027. The poll’s findings put attention on whether beneficiaries review their options and use available resources before selecting or keeping a plan. Medicare’s website and hotline, plan information and free SHIP counseling are among the sources identified in the report.
The University of Michigan poll does not announce a new enrollment rule or change to coverage. The next practical milestone is the opening of enrollment, when beneficiaries can compare plans and check details such as provider networks and prescription coverage. Whether the findings lead to broader use of comparison tools or counseling is not yet known.
Key Questions
How many older adults spent less than an hour reviewing Medicare plans?
Sixty percent of surveyed Medicare enrollees age 65 and older said they spent less than an hour reviewing options for 2026. That includes 27% who said they did not review options at all.
How many respondents kept their previous Medicare coverage?
Eight in 10 respondents said they stayed with their coverage from the previous year. The poll did not determine whether those plans remained the best fit for each person.
When is Medicare open enrollment for 2027 coverage?
The open enrollment period is scheduled for Oct. 15 through Dec. 7, 2026. The source report says the period covers all forms of 2027 Medicare coverage.
What sources did people use to review Medicare options?
Among those who reviewed options, 25% said a Medicare website tool or hotline was their most important source, 26% named an insurance broker, 21% a health plan website and 5% a free local counselor such as a SHIP counselor.
Does the poll show that people should switch plans?
No. The poll describes review time, reported confidence and whether respondents stayed with their coverage. It does not establish that switching is better; plan suitability depends on factors such as providers, medications, health needs and costs.
Source: rss
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