Healthcare is often a big retirement concern for seniors, yet less than a third that have financial planners discuss Medicare plans with their advisors, according to a recent survey commissioned by Allsup, a nationwide provider of Social Security disability.
With Medicare's annual enrollment season just around the corner, seniors will have the chance to change their plans for 2013 from Oct 15 through Dec. 7. These choices will take effect Jan. 1, and last through the end of 2013.
"Healthcare choices affect finances," said Mary Dale Walters, senior vice president of the Allsup Medicare Advisor, a Medicare plan selection service for Medicare-eligible individuals. "Many seniors, to their detriment, tend to avoid re-assessing their healthcare needs and, therefore, their healthcare insurance coverage, even though their health or financial situation may have changed."
While most seniors with financial advisors plan to review expenses for next 12 months, nearly half don't plan to review healthcare needs despite cost concerns and opportunities during Medicare annual enrollment, according to the survey of more than 1,000 seniors.
"Financial and retirement planning professionals have a tremendous opportunity to assist their senior clients with Medicare plans and healthcare choices by helping them realize and prepare for the cost-related results of their decisions," Walters said.
The study was commissioned by Allsup and conducted by Richard Day Research, a Market Probe Company based in Evanston, Illinois.
