Why Nearly 4 in 10 People on Medicare Skip Their Doctor's Visits

An eHealth.com poll found nearly 40 percent of Medicare enrollees have either delayed medical care or passed on a prescription due to expense, amid concerns about deductibles, copays, and the cost of dental and vision coverage, reports CNBC . "Deductibles can sometimes be surprising to people with Medicare plans, and they don't fully understand how the deductible works and the concept of having to float a decent amount of money before the coverage really kicks in," says eHealth.com's Andrew Shea. Forty-five percent of respondents who said they skipped the pharmacy due to drug costs noted both the brand name and the generic medication were too expensive. Individuals enrolled in Medicare Part A, which covers hospitalization and skilled nursing, face a deductible of $1,340 per benefit period when they go into the hospital. Enrollees in Medicare Part B, which covers doctor's visits and other outpatient services, are subject to an $183 annual deductible in 2018, and then they must cover 20 percent of the Medicare-approved amount for services. Beneficiaries often mistakenly assume they will be covered for everything once they have enrolled in the program. Overall, 44 percent of survey respondents expressed concerns about the cost of dental and vision services. Certain Medicare Advantage plans may offer hearing and vision benefits, and Shea advises enrollees to check the depth of that coverage if they get it. He also notes enrollees can buy standalone dental, vision, and hearing insurance coverage, which averages between $35 and $45 a month at eHealth.