What does this research mean for the field?

First-time Black Medicare beneficiaries experience low Medicare literacy and face significant systemic barriers to enrollment, including complex, culturally untailored materials and digital navigation challenges. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.INCREMENTAL. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

What question did this study set out to answer?

To examine Medicare enrollment literacy, information access, and plan decision-making experiences among first-time Black Medicare beneficiaries.

September 5, 2026The Gerontologist

Medicare Enrollment Literacy Among First-Time Black Beneficiaries: Insights From a Mixed-Methods Study

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Authors

WBWiljanda BoatwrightMedical University of South Carolina

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Overview

Mixed-methods study reveals low enrollment literacy and complex informational barriers in first-time Black Medicare beneficiaries, highlighting the need for culturally tailored decision support.

Key Points

To examine Medicare enrollment literacy, information access, and plan decision-making experiences among first-time Black Medicare beneficiaries.
Conducted a convergent mixed-methods study featuring a community survey (N = 93) evaluating Medicare literacy across a 15-item scale in Southeast Queens, New York.
Conducted 3 focus groups and 4 individual interviews (N = 16) with community navigators and Medicare enrollment professionals using thematic analysis.
Performed document analysis evaluating the readability, clarity, and cultural relevance of standard Medicare informational materials.
More than 50% of participants demonstrated low Medicare literacy, and fewer than 50% felt confident comparing plans, evaluating coverage differences, or estimating out-of-pocket costs.
Qualitative analysis identified five major themes: complexity and information overload, reliance on informal support networks, digital navigation hurdles, coverage confusion, and the necessity of trusted, culturally responsive communication.
Document analysis demonstrated that standard Medicare materials relied heavily on complex insurance terminology and lacked cultural tailoring.

Cite This Study

Wiljanda Boatwright (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a9bd4126b95aff0620eb7c8 https://doi.org/10.1093/geront/gnag213

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September 5, 2026The Gerontologist

Medicare Enrollment Literacy Among First-Time Black Beneficiaries: Insights From a Mixed-Methods Study

View Full Paper

Ask AI

Bookmark

Authors

WBWiljanda BoatwrightMedical University of South Carolina

Discussion

Member takes

Overview

Mixed-methods study reveals low enrollment literacy and complex informational barriers in first-time Black Medicare beneficiaries, highlighting the need for culturally tailored decision support.

Key Points

To examine Medicare enrollment literacy, information access, and plan decision-making experiences among first-time Black Medicare beneficiaries.
Conducted a convergent mixed-methods study featuring a community survey (N = 93) evaluating Medicare literacy across a 15-item scale in Southeast Queens, New York.
Conducted 3 focus groups and 4 individual interviews (N = 16) with community navigators and Medicare enrollment professionals using thematic analysis.
Performed document analysis evaluating the readability, clarity, and cultural relevance of standard Medicare informational materials.
More than 50% of participants demonstrated low Medicare literacy, and fewer than 50% felt confident comparing plans, evaluating coverage differences, or estimating out-of-pocket costs.
Qualitative analysis identified five major themes: complexity and information overload, reliance on informal support networks, digital navigation hurdles, coverage confusion, and the necessity of trusted, culturally responsive communication.
Document analysis demonstrated that standard Medicare materials relied heavily on complex insurance terminology and lacked cultural tailoring.

Cite This Study

Wiljanda Boatwright (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a9bd4126b95aff0620eb7c8 https://doi.org/10.1093/geront/gnag213

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