Get actionable information from the leading experts on health insurance consumers and industry trends.
Since 2005, Deft Research has provided insurance carriers, agencies, consultants, and marketers with the information they need to improve their member acquisition and retention, product development, and quality ratings. With our full suite of market research services, you can gain greater clarity into the senior and commercial markets to drive better business decisions.
Access Deft’s industry-leading research and insights.
Select a quarter to explore our recent and upcoming syndicated studies and custom research solutions in the senior and commercial markets.
National MAPD Benefit Design Conjoint Plus MaxDiff Study | 1/15/25
Senior Market
With recent CMS reimbursement austerity, some stakeholders believe reductions may continue for 2026 while others see the pendulum swinging back the other way. Be prepared for any scenario that unfolds with the end of-January Advanced Notice by understanding the MAPD benefits and cost components seniors value in Deft’s mid-January release. Major product components such as sensitivity to premium, MOOP, drug deductible, medical deductible, PCP and specialist copays, etc., will be illuminated alongside senior preferences for a litany of supplemental benefits that oftentimes drive enrollment.
Individual and Family Plan Benefit Design Conjoint Study | 1/15/24
Commercial Market
The enhanced subsidies that drove ACA membership to today’s 21.4 million are now up in the air for 2026 and beyond. As a result, carriers and consultants need fresh insights into how consumers may react if those subsidies are extended or reduced to pre-ARP levels. Our 2025 Individual and Family Plan Benefit Design Conjoint Study illuminates what the market may look like and gauges consumer appetite for richer or leaner benefits—regardless of how rules and regulations may change.
Medicare Shopping and Switching Study | 1/31/25
Senior Market
Over the last 17 years, our Medicare Shopping and Switching Study has been the “gold-standard” industry report for senior consumerism during the AEP. Product managers, marketers, distributors, agencies, and consultants eagerly anticipate its publication because it traditionally signifies the start of next year’s decision-making.
Medicare Part D Study | 2/14/25
Senior Market
When it comes to the designs and coverage costs of Part D plans, the first of two years’ worth of IRA-influenced changes were hardly noticed by consumers. This second year will be a different story. What was once a minor (or completely absent) monthly premium expense is now a significant hit to seniors and their Social Security checks. The Medicare Part D Study shows what the new drug cost reality means for MedSupp plus Part D, MAPD, and PDP as we look to 2026 and beyond.
Individual and Family Plan Shopping and Switching Study | 2/28/25
Commercial Market
The escalated ACA consumer total from 2024’s OEP may grow larger this year as new carrier participants hit the market, enhanced subsidies stay in effect, and federal spending remains in play for these individual market plans.This study examines the traditional OEP, the channels that best connect with consumers, how these individuals shopped for coverage, and how they chose to enroll for 2025.
Dual Eligible Acquisition Study | 3/31/25
Senior Market
Today, the D-SNP market is nearing almost six million strong. And with an equal number in straight Medicaid, others in non-D-SNP MA plans, and another nine million beneficiaries close to Medicaid status, the Dual Eligible market is poised for long-term growth. Our study is the industry guidebook for organizations who want to best service this rapidly growing senior segment.
Medicare Member Onboarding Study | 4/30/25
Senior Market
A quality enrollment experience, longer tenure, and engaged members are more important to carrier financial performance than ever before. In this study, we help all industry stakeholders better understand the events and touchpoints that provide the best chances for driving enduring membership. In particular, the study examines MA, MedSupp and Part D members and their late December/early Q1 experiences.
Medicare Age-In Study | 5/30/25
Senior Market
Employer Group Retiree plans are on the decline, and despite the MA switching spike in 2024, recent total AEP switching has generally hovered at 13 percent or less. As a result, it’s more important than ever to engage consumers at or around age 65 who are transitioning from Commercial to Medicare coverage. Our Medicare Age-In Study helps industry insiders understand the ideal cadence of touchpoints, messaging themes, and enrollment preferences that Boomers seek when considering Medicare Supplemental or Medicare Advantage coverage for the first time.
Commercial Group, ICHRA and Alternative Health Product Study | 6/30/25
Commercial Market
Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangements (ICHRA) had a slow start in the COVID years of 2020 and 2021. Nevertheless, some estimates show the program accounts for somewhere between one and two million of today’s ACA member total. And recently, others claim that Alternative Health Products (such as Coupe and Surest) have secured more than a million Group enrollees. As employers struggle with unpredictable healthcare costs, both non-traditional solutions appear poised to disrupt the long-standing Commercial Group market. Deft’s Commercial Group, ICHRA, and Alternative Health Products Study illuminates how current Commercial Group members feel about the potential move to the ACA via ICHRA, and the market potential of copay-only insurance plans.
AEP Gut Check Study | 7/15/25
Senior Market
Although a lot of planning goes into AEP preparation during the winter and spring months, it’s not enough if marketers and sales managers don’t “take the temperature” of seniors before executing their AEP strategy. Our AEP Gut Check Study allows them to do just that by acting as a “Pre-AEP” report for the 2026 benefit year. We assess seniors’ pain points, service failures, and their plan experiences so that carriers can make last-minute adjustments to marketing and design after benchmarks are released. Knowing what seniors are seeking to improve with their Medicare coverage allows marketers and sales professionals to connect with seniors — and improves their approach during the fall selling period.
Dual Eligible Retention Study | 7/31/25
Senior Market
The growth explosion in the D-SNP space is tempered only by the frustration associated with members who switch at a high level. Holding onto these members is more challenging than maintaining those outside of the Dual-Eligible space. In this third edition of our Dual Eligible Retention Study, we chronicle the experiences that provide the best chances for building loyalty. We also tackle the services and benefits correlated with consumers who face hardships associated with Social Determinants of Health (SDoH).
OEP Gut Check Study | 8/7/25
Senior Market
The ACA is now larger than the full-pay, non-EGWP Medicare Advantage space, and the comparative financial performance of the ACA versus MA is shifting. For new member acquisition and member retention initiatives, it’s critical to understand where current ACA members stand during the halfway point of the year. Our inaugural OEP Gut Check Study is based on our AEP Gut Check Study, an industry favorite for Medicare stakeholders who have relied on it since 2020 for last-minute sales and marketing guidance.
Medicare Digital Tools Study | 8/29/25
Senior Market
As all stakeholders seek to reduce costs, improve care, and broaden access, carriers, agencies, and consultants must focus on engaging healthcare consumers digitally. By harnessing the full power of digital tools, they can reach these very connected boomers more fully. Our study reviews how seniors feel about shopping for Medicare plans online and whether they find the amount of information overwhelming.
Individual and Family Plan Digital Tools Study | 9/30/25
Commercial Market
Health insurance built for digital exchanges means that coverage, service, and healthcare must also focus on digital delivery. This study examines all aspects of digital healthcare, including online shopping (public and private exchanges), portal management, e-brokers, virtual care, and virtual-first plans.
Medicare Member Experience Study
Publishes Oct. 31, 2024 | Senior Market
In this 2024 study, we will help stakeholders understand the specific touchpoints that set up seniors to renew coverage — as well as those that motivate them to disenroll. We also examine how various experiences are associated with higher and lower CAHPS scores, as well as advise carriers and agencies how to better engineer member communications and customer service for higher scores during out years.
Individual and Family Plan Member Experience Study
Publishes Nov. 29, 2024 | Commercial Market
Greater competition in the ACA market means that consumers are no longer “stuck with” the few carriers that participate. The average state has at least six carriers now, meaning all on-exchange participants must focus on retention more than ever. This study will identify the experiences that either inflate or depress loyalty so that carriers can hold onto ACA members like Medicare carriers do today.
