Nearly 9 in 10 Seniors Satisfied Wi...( WASHINGTON June 12 -- Medigap poli...),Health

WASHINGTON, June 12 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Medigap policyholders are overwhelmingly satisfied with their coverage and say it provides good value for their money, according to a new survey released today by the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association (BCBSA) and America's Health Insurance Plans (AHIP).

"Medigap policies provide important protections from Medicare's high out-of-pocket costs," said Scott P. Serota, BCBSA president and CEO. "Seniors are highly satisfied with these policies."

The new survey, conducted by American Viewpoint, Inc. on behalf of BCBSA and AHIP, found that 88 percent of Medigap policyholders are satisfied with their coverage and 62 percent are very satisfied. In addition, more than three-fourths (77 percent) of policyholders surveyed say Medigap provides excellent or good value for their money and eighty-seven percent would recommend Medigap to a friend or relative.

"Nearly 10 million seniors across the country rely on Medigap for their health security," said Karen Ignagni, President and CEO of AHIP. "Seniors like the predictability, financial security, and peace of mind these plans provide."

According to the survey, the aspects policyholders like most about their Medigap coverage are that it allows them to see the doctor of their choice, it provides financial security and peace of mind, and it makes it easier to deal with medical bills and paperwork.

Other key findings include:

• Medigap policyholders are unwilling to pay higher deductibles or other out-of-pocket expenses in order to reduce their premiums (69 percent).
• A majority (68 percent) of policyholders would oppose Congressional action that would require policyholders to pay annual deductibles and other out-of-pocket expenses for services that are currently covered by their Medigap policies.
• If policyholders co
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