CHICAGO, April 22, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- A recent survey of
1,000 U.S. adults, ages 65 and older, indicates that fully
COVID-vaccinated older adults are already defining a 'new normal'
but express uncertainty about fully returning to pre-COVID norms
and behaviors. GoHealth, Inc. (GoHealth) (NASDAQ: GOCO), a leading
health insurance marketplace and Medicare-focused digital health
company, surveyed older adults to learn how life has changed since
the COVID vaccine was introduced. At the time of the survey
(April 13 to 16, 2021), 65% of older
adults were fully vaccinated, and 12% were partially vaccinated.
Key findings include:
Of those fully vaccinated, 68% said they will
make at least one change to their lifestyle, topped by visiting
indoors with fully vaccinated friends and family (42%) and indoor
grocery shopping (39%).
Twenty-five percent of fully vaccinated older
adults have or intend to travel within the United
States.
Ninety-three percent of fully vaccinated older
adults said they would continue to wear masks and socially distance
in public.
These statistics reflect a cautious optimism among seniors, said
GoHealth Chief Medical Officer, Paul
Hain, M.D.
"On the one hand, older adults are getting the vaccine and
want to visit with friends and family and get back to doing the
things they enjoy. On the other hand, many recognize that they
still have a responsibility to follow health guidelines," said
Hain. "The vaccine is new, and people have a lot of questions.
There's a lot of good information available for older adults and
our seniors, and we know that they're on the path back to the
things they enjoy."
Getting Back to Normal: Post-Covid Life for Older
Adults
Now that all U.S. adults are eligible for a Covid vaccine, older
adults are slowly returning to their pre-pandemic behaviors. Aside
from visiting with other fully vaccinated people and shopping
indoors, fully vaccinated older adults have either started, or are
planning to start, the following activities:
- 34% said they would eat inside at a restaurant or bar
- 30% said they would shop indoors for non-grocery items
- 28% will visit doctors or specialists they didn't see during
the pandemic
- 24% will visits dentists or hygienists they didn't see during
the pandemic
On the Road Again: Older Adults Making Post-Covid Travel
Plans
Traveling was another popular option for both of the vaccination
groups. Among the fully vaccinated:
- 25% said they'd travel within the U.S.; 4% will travel outside
the country
Those who are partially vaccinated, or not yet vaccinated, were
slightly more willing to travel:
- 28% plan to travel within the U.S.; 8% will travel outside the
country
Among all Medicare Advantage beneficiaries that have plans to
travel, many incorrectly believed their plans will cover them
wherever they go. Medicare Advantage plans often provide limited
benefits and coverage when you're outside your provider network.
This generally means emergency and urgent care are covered anywhere
in the U.S., but little else. When asked if their Medicare
Advantage plans would follow them when they travelled:
- 71% believe their plan will cover them when they travel
- 8% said it would not cover them when they travel
- 21% didn't know
Vaccines Block Covid -- but not Caution
Ninety-one percent of fully or partially vaccinated older adults
said they'll continue to wear masks and practice social distancing
in public.
Among those planning to get vaccinated, or who are still unsure
whether they'll get vaccinated, fewer expected to wear a mask or
social distance once they were fully vaccinated:
- 8% will not wear a mask after they are fully vaccinated
- 23% don't know if they will wear a mask after they are fully
vaccinated
- 8% will not practice social distancing after they are fully
vaccinated
- 13% don't know if they will practice social distancing after
they are fully
vaccinated
Anti-Vaxx Sentiments Remain: Reasons for Hesitancy Among
Older Adults
Though 65% of respondents were fully vaccinated and another 12%
partially vaccinated, a sizable portion of respondents expressed
skepticism about receiving the vaccine; 13% have not received a
COVID-19 vaccine and don't plan to. There were several reasons for
this.
- 53% "don't trust the vaccine will work" or believe "vaccines do
more harm than good"
- 44% said they are worried about side effects
- 29% said they don't trust the government
- 23% said they "want to wait and see what happens to others
before I decide"
"It's interesting to see how this population is redefining
'normal,'" said Hain. "It's understandable to be cautious, and even
hesitant, after everything they have been through for the past
year. Our hope is to help them make the best possible decisions
about their health. That means answering questions and providing
guidance when needed.
"This study shows that normal is going to mean different things
to different people. The best thing we can do is provide reliable
information and guidance so they can make the right decisions for
themselves and their loved ones."
Full report:
https://www.gohealth.com/survey-covid-19-vaccine-and-social-changes-among-older-adults/
About GoHealth, Inc.
As a leading health insurance marketplace and Medicare-focused
digital health company, GoHealth's mission is to improve access to
healthcare in America. Enrolling in a health insurance plan can be
confusing for customers, and the seemingly small differences
between plans can lead to significant out-of-pocket costs or lack
of access to critical medicines and even providers. GoHealth
combines cutting-edge technology, data science and deep industry
expertise to match customers with the healthcare policy and carrier
that is right for them. Since its inception, GoHealth has enrolled
millions of people in Medicare and individual and family plans. For
more information, visit https://www.gohealth.com/.
Contacts:
Media Relations, pressinquiries@gohealth.com
Investor Relations, IR@gohealth.com
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SOURCE GoHealth, Inc.