What’s Hot for Medicare AEP Marketing in 2022

Medicare health insurance document

About the Author

Michelle Peel

Michelle Peel

As Sales Content and Research Manager, Michelle enhances the customer experience for our clients by keeping her finger on the pulse of key consumer trends, new vertical market developments, and competitor insights that impact their business. A graduate of Elizabethtown College with more than 20 years of direct marketing experience, she brings the “make it happen” attitude to IWCO every day. She is a dedicated Pittsburgh Steelers fan who enjoys shopping, crafting, and spending time with her family.

Medicare results from the 2021 Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) campaigns are in and analysis is in full swing as marketers begin their 2022 campaign planning, looking for ways to improve the results of their Medicare marketing efforts.

Reviewing 2021 Medicare Marketing Campaigns

2021 Medicare Marketing campaigns focused on “standing out” among competitors during the AEP. Direct mail campaign messaging emphasized the value of services, highlighted “choice” and “freedom” with a vast network of doctors, spotlighted rewards opportunities, and drew attention to their five-star ratings—all in order to encourage enrollment. Medicare marketers also looked for ways to stand out in the mailbox. For instance, BlueShield of California provided recipients with stickers to place on the return enrollment form to indicate where consumers were in their enrollment process. Recipients selected the sticker that best fit their situation from the following options:

“I’m in Original Medicare. Show me how I can get extra benefits.”

“I have other health coverage. But I’d like to explore my options.”

“I just want to know more. Please send my free information.”

According to Comperemedia, 2021 AEP acquisition direct mail volume (574 million pieces) decreased by 4% compared to the previous year (596 million pieces). During the pandemic years of 2019 and 2020 AEPs, consumers were hyper-focused on health and insurers took this opportunity to boost health insurance options and increased their mail volumes. Top mailers during the 2021 AEP were Aetna, Anthem, Cigna, Humana, and UnitedHealthcare.

What’s Hot for 2022 Medicare Marketing

In their “2022 Insurance Omnichannel Trends” report, Comperemedia stated, “Insurers will continue to develop their suite of product offerings in order to enhance their overall value to new and existing customers.” Marketers have the opportunity to add educational elements to their Medicare marketing campaigns to showcase their ability to adapt with the changing times and help consumers understand how these new solutions can fit into their everyday lives.

Incorporating Trends and Best Practices into Medicare Marketing

Be sure to follow Medicare marketing trends and include best practices in your AEP direct marketing campaigns:

Educational Elements: To encourage consumers to attend Medicare educational sessions, consider using drive time geocoding in your direct mail campaigns as a way to connect consumers with nearby Medicare resources. Drive time geocoding informs the recipient of the time it will take to drive to a Medicare meeting.

  • Example: “Mr. Jones, learn more about Medicare coverage options. Attend the Medicare seminar located less than ten minutes from your home.”

New Benefits: Add a message on the outer envelope to get the recipient’s attention, highlight benefits that make your services standout, and get them to open your direct mail package.

  • Example: “See any doctor in or out of network. Don’t wait. Open to learn more about new benefit options.”

Every-Day Lives: Use active imagery in direct mail campaigns to showcase how members can take advantage of their plan benefits and how specific benefits fit into their everyday needs.

  • Example: Promote portal access by showcasing the simplicity of logging in when members need assistance using a computer and phone.

IWCO Direct has special expertise in healthcare marketing, evidenced by our recent recognition by the Association of National Advertisers (ANA) with a Gold Mailbox Echo Award. Our specialists have the Medicare marketing expertise to review past AEP campaign results, and creatively and strategically enhance your AEP direct marketing campaigns using industry-proven best practices. If you are a Medicare marketer, contact one of our healthcare experts today! Now is the time to look at how to improve your AEP campaign results in 2022.

Share This Post

More To Explore

Woman grabbing mail from mailbox

Growing the Mail Channel

Using new USPS growth incentives to grow your mail channel  Fall typically means marketers are busy with budget and strategic

Talk With Our Expert Sales Team Now.

Our Offices

Corporate Headquarters

7951 Powers Boulevard
Chanhassen, MN 55317

Hamburg, PA Facility

100 Industrial Drive
Hamburg, PA 19526

Warminster, PA Facility

65 Steamboat Drive
Warminster, PA 18974

Contact Us

Contact Us
By submitting this form you confirm that you agree with the storage and handling of your data by this website as outlined in the Privacy Policy.

Unmute for sound 🔊