The Weiss study, based on 37,090 quotes from 108 companies, identifies the most and least expensive carriers based on a consumer's age, gender, and zip code.
Many companies claim that the wide price differences are strictly due to hidden policy differences.
Indeed, some companies give a price break at age 65, but increase premiums as the policyholder gets older, while others charge more at 65 and do not increase premiums with age. In addition, some companies charge less for healthier individuals, while others offer the same rate regardless of one's health condition. However, these two rationales still fail to explain many of the price gaps. Callers will be asked to provide age, gender, zip code, and county of residence. The Health Insurance Report for Seniors also includes ratings and complaint data on Medicare HMOs and a list of long-term care insurers with their ratings.