Young people leaving worries health plans – 07/21/2023 – Market

While the number of consumers over 60 years old in health plans grew by almost 27% in the last decade, the younger age groups move in the opposite direction.

The group of young people aged 20 to 29 lost the most volume, with a decrease of around 18% between December 2013 and the end of 2022, according to a report by the IESS (Institute for Supplementary Health Studies) based on data from the ANS (National Supplementary Health Agency).

In the total number of beneficiaries, the growth does not reach 2% in the period.

According to Vera Valente, executive director of FenaSaúde (National Supplementary Health Federation), the movement of young people to leave generates a warning because it compromises the so-called intergenerational pact, one of the pillars of the system in which younger people pay for part of the use of services by the elderly and balance the increase in accidents that occurs at an older age.

One of the alternatives designed by the sector to attract young people and restore the imbalance between age groups is the sale of more affordable plans, which only cover consultations and tests, for those who cannot afford to pay for the complete product with hospital coverage.

“Nowadays, many companies are not giving the benefit of the health plan. They give a gym card, discount on a series of services, but not the health plan.

Marcos Novais, superintendent of Abramge (Brazilian Association of Health Plans), says that it is necessary to discuss public policies to guarantee sustainability. He cites examples of models adopted by other countries to be studied, with charges to adults who enter the system late without having contributed to finance it throughout their lives.

For José Cechin, IESS superintendent, part of the solution could happen through the evolution of a healthier society, in order to mitigate diseases. “If we take care of the environment, reduce pollution, pesticides in food, stress, sedentary lifestyle, all of this can reduce the incidence of chronic diseases. We will have healthier elderly people, therefore, spending less”, he says.