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Seniors Now Dominating FAIR Health Consumer Users

The FAIR Health Consumer website, known for providing valuable insights into healthcare costs, has witnessed a fascinating shift in its user demographics. In a remarkable milestone for the year 2024, individuals aged 65 and older emerged as the largest user group of this free, award-winning portal, surpassing younger age brackets that previously held the top position.

This trend marks a significant change from 2023, where the 25-34 age group was the dominant audience. Several factors contributed to this demographic shift, including the successful national campaign dubbed "Healthy Decisions for Healthy Aging," which aimed to enhance awareness about healthcare costs among older adults. Funded by The John A. Hartford Foundation, this initiative guided seniors to explore the dedicated section of the FAIR Health Consumer site that caters specifically to their needs.

User Demographics and Engagement Insights

According to the analytics data for 2024, older adults made up 22% of total users. In comparison, the breakdown of user demographics was as follows:

• - Ages 55-64: 19%
• - Ages 45-54: 16%
• - Ages 35-44: 11%
• - Ages 25-34: 17%
• - Ages 18-24: 10%

In this period, 58% of users were female, a noticeable increase from 54% in the previous year, indicating a growing interest in health-related information among women.

Frequently Searched Medical Terms

The website’s tools allow users to estimate medical and dental care costs based on procedures and location, enabling better financial planning. The most searched medical terms in 2024 included:
1. MRI
2. Emergency
3. CT scan
4. Ultrasound
5. Anesthesia

In dentistry, the leading search queries revolved around:
1. Implant
2. Orthodontic
3. Root canal
4. Crown
5. Deep cleaning

The search trends reflect a conscious effort among older adults to understand the potential healthcare expenditures they may encounter.

Educational Topics Gaining Popularity

Educational content on the website has also proven valuable, with topics centered around health insurance gaining traction. In 2024, the most sought-after resources were:

• - When Out-of-Network Care Can Be Covered in Network
• - Having More Than One Health Plan
• - How to Review Your Medical Bill
• - Out-of-Network Doctors in In-Network Facilities
• - Healthcare Services Not Covered by Health Insurance

This interest highlights the significant need among older adults for clear, approachable information about navigating healthcare systems.

Decision Aids Encouraging Shared Decision-Making

FAIR Health Consumer has also prioritized shared decision-making processes through innovative decision aid tools. These resources facilitate discussions among patients, caregivers, and clinicians regarding treatment options. The top decision aids in use as of 2024 included:
1. Early-stage breast cancer
2. Nutrition options for seriously ill patients
3. Slow-growing prostate cancer
4. Ventilator options for seriously ill patients
5. Uterine fibroids medication options

Interest in these decision aids reinforces the emerging trend of shared decision-making, especially relevant for older adults seeking to take an active role in their healthcare outcomes.

Conclusion

The shift in the user demographic towards a larger representation of seniors on the FAIR Health Consumer website signals growing awareness and engagement among older adults regarding their health information needs. With continued efforts to improve access and enhance educational content, FAIR Health is setting a precedent for transparency in healthcare costs, helping individuals make informed decisions that impact their health and financial well-being. As we move forward, it will be interesting to see how these trends evolve and how they influence the landscape of healthcare information accessibility in the years to come.