Majority of NYC Boomers making smarter health choices and say 'best times are ahead'

BRONX, N.Y., Oct. 7, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- More than six in ten (61%) baby boomers* living in the greater New York City area say the best times are ahead of them, not in the past – and they are taking care of their health so they can enjoy the future, according to a recent survey sponsored by Affinity Health Plan. In addition, many of those surveyed report they are making smarter choices now about their diet (68%), weight (49%), and exercise (46%) than they did in their 20s.

"The Boomer generation gave us rock and roll and Saturday Night Live, marched in demonstrations on some of the most important social, civil rights and economic equality issues in our country's history, and watched the first man land on the moon – we don't expect them to sit back in their rocking chairs during retirement," said Bertram L. Scott, President and CEO, Affinity Health Plan. "Medicare helps protect good health to lead an active, rich and rewarding life."

In the next 10 years, according to the survey, NYC-area boomers envision leading an active lifestyle: traveling more often (77%), spending more time with family and friends (66%), attending more events (47%), and taking up new hobbies (35%). For many respondents, an essential part of this plan includes actively trying to eat healthier (75%), exercise more (66%), and lose weight (61%). More than four in five (82%) NYC-area boomers confidently assert that they are able to manage their health on their own. This may be why they also report "I'm excited to see what my future holds" (84%) and "now is the time in my life when I get to do the things I always wanted to do" (84%).

While nearly half (48%) of respondents think of "getting older" when they think of Medicare, today's generation of Medicare-eligible New Yorkers by and large agree that "you're only as old as you feel" (87%). Those currently enrolled in Medicare report feeling more self-sufficient (97% vs. 88%) and fulfilled (84% vs. 75%) than their non-Medicare peers. What's more, Medicare enrollees are more likely than their counterparts to strongly believe that they are making smart choices when it comes to managing their health (45% vs. 27%) and that they're as healthy today as they can be (25% vs. 14%).

This month, Affinity Health Plan is launching enhanced Medicare product offerings – known as the Affinity Medicare Passport Portfolio of Plans – designed to better reflect the lifestyles of today's Medicare-eligible New Yorkers. The Affinity Medicare Passport Portfolio of Plans offers convenient options that allow beneficiaries to receive all of their Medicare coverage — including Medicare Part D prescription drug benefits — in one health plan. For more information, visit AffinityMedicarePlan.org or call toll-free at 888-543-9096.

*Baby Boomers are the generation of Americans born between 1946, the end of World War II, and 1964. They are the largest generation of Americans born in U.S. history.

About Affinity Health Plan

Founded in 1986, Affinity is an independent, not-for-profit organization driven by the mission to help its members, their families and their communities lead rich and rewarding lives. For nearly 30 years, Affinity has built one of the area's largest physician networks, which includes over 30,000 providers and more than 80 of the top hospitals in the Greater New York region. Affinity offers a variety of programs under Medicare, Medicaid, Child Health Plus and Qualified Health Plans on the New York State Health Plan Marketplace for members in New York City, Nassau, Suffolk, Westchester, Rockland and Orange counties. For more information, visit AffinityMedicarePlan.org.

Survey Methodology

The survey was conducted by Kelton between September 19 and September 25, 2014 among 317 60-75-year-olds living in Orange, Rockland, Westchester, Bronx, New York, Kings, Queens, Nassau, Suffolk, and Richmond counties in New York, using an email invitation and an online survey.

Results of any sample are subject to sampling variation. The magnitude of the variation is measurable and is affected by the number of interviews and the level of percentages expressing the results. In this particular study, the chances are 95 in 100 that a survey result does not vary, plus or minus, by more than 5.5 percentage points from the result that would be obtained if interviews had been conducted with all personas in the universe represented by the sample. The margin of error for any subgroups will be higher.

Kelton is a leading global insights firm serving as a partner to more than 100 of the Fortune 500 and thousands of smaller companies and organizations. Utilizing a wide range of customized, innovative research techniques and staff expertise in marketing, branding, PR, media and business strategy, Kelton helps drive our clients' business forward. For more information about Kelton, please visit www.keltonglobal.com.

Media contact: Rachel Saffitz, (212) 508-9634, [email protected]

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SOURCE Affinity Health Plan