Study Finds That A Quarter Of Lowincome Older Americans Don't Have Health Insurance

A new study from Oregon Health & Science University has identified gaps in health insurance coverage for older Americans, who typically have more health problems than other population groups.

A study published in the Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine found that nearly a quarter of low-income patients receiving care at community health centers remained uninsured at age 65, the age at which most Americans qualify for the federal Medicare program. Health Insurance.

“This is especially concerning for older adults who do not have health insurance, as the incidence of the disease and related complications increases with age,” said study co-author Natalie Huggett, MD, PhD, associate professor of family medicine. Harvard University. Ohio University College of Medicine. “Managing health conditions without insurance is more difficult in the United States. This can result in expensive hospital stays, avoidable illnesses, and the need for expensive medical services.”

In the study, Huggett and colleagues examined electronic health record data from more than 45,000 patients eligible for Medicare between 2014 and 2019. The records included patient visits to community health centers, which provide services without regard to patients' ability to pay. Serves people with limited financial means.

Their close examination of the data concluded that Hispanics were more likely to lose insurance coverage by age 65. Medicare enrollees must be U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents, so government coverage is not available to unauthorized elderly immigrants. Additionally, low-income patients may not be able to afford Medicare premiums.

Researchers also found that patients were more likely to be diagnosed with new chronic conditions, such as diabetes or hypertension, after they became eligible for Medicare. About 86% of study participants had two or more chronic conditions after age 65, compared with 77% before. Patients who were uninsured and then insured through Medicare were more likely to be diagnosed with a new chronic condition than patients who were insured before enrolling in Medicare.

“It's possible that these patients have chronic illnesses without realizing it,” Huggett said. “Medicare makes it possible for older Americans to get the basic health services they need. However, receiving medical treatment early can prevent the condition from developing or worsening with age.”

Huggett and his colleagues hope their findings will encourage policymakers to better support older Americans by increasing their access to health care, and especially by increasing access to preventive services. They also hope this will inspire local health centers to incorporate more senior-friendly services into their operations.

Learn more: Nathalie Huguet et al., Impact of Health Insurance Models on Chronic Disease in Elderly Patients, Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine (2023). doi: 10.3122/jabfm.2023.230106R1

Excerpt : Study finds that a quarter of low-income American seniors do not have health insurance (2023, September 14). Accessed September 15, 2023, https://medicalxpress.com/news/2023-09-low-income-quarter-old-americans-dont.html

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