Introduction
As people age, they are more likely to acquire chronic diseases, making access to quality healthcare of the utmost importance. Preventable chronic illnesses make up several of the top causes of death for adults over the age 65. This problem persists because people are not receiving the necessary early interventions to stop them. With the existing barriers to insurance and healthcare coverage, countless older adults face challenges when it comes to having their healthcare needs met. One of the major barriers is exorbitant costs that many find prohibitive.
Burden of Chronic Disease
In the United States, 90% of annual healthcare expenditures are due to chronic diseases or mental health conditions, amounting to trillions of dollars. Heart disease and hypertension are some of the leading causes of death, costing thousands of lives each year. Diabetes impacts 38 million Americans, and millions more have prediabetes. With chronic conditions accounting for such a large portion of healthcare costs and affecting so many lives, they should be a priority for insurance companies, healthcare providers, and policymakers alike.
Medicare Eligibility
A study from The Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine followed over 45,000 people pre and post Medicare eligibility. Chronic disease diagnosis rates increased once patients were eligible for Medicare, indicating that many of these older adults were living with undetected chronic conditions. This highlights the importance of having insurance and healthcare access before these diseases even develop because prevention and early intervention are key to minimizing the impacts of chronic conditions. Interestingly, they also noted that preventive care visits actually decreased after enrollment in Medicare. The costs of such visits are often not covered and therefore unaffordable to many.
Another study published in PLOS Medicine was examining the association between Medicare eligibility and health outcomes. The researchers found that becoming eligible for Medicare at 65 greatly increased access to healthcare and reduced the financial burden, especially for low-income adults. With 1 in 6 low-income adults under 65 unable to seek healthcare due to the costs, addressing this disparity is an urgent need. Furthermore, low-income adults face higher rates of chronic disease and worse health outcomes across the board compared with middle or high-income adults. Their lack of access to healthcare only exacerbates this issue.
Breaking Down Barriers
Resolving the existing inequities when it comes to healthcare access and insurance coverage requires tackling the barriers that prevent so many people from getting the care they need. Healthcare costs are a huge prohibitive factor and it is imperative that this be addressed.
- Lower the age for Medicare eligibility
- Lowering the age of Medicare eligibility from 65 to 60 could greatly expand healthcare access. Insuring more people would aid in prevention efforts.
- Expand coverage under Medicare
- Reducing out-of-pocket costs and ensuring that preventative care visits are covered will help more people have access and reduce downstream costs for the treatment of chronic illnesses.
Conclusion
The healthcare system faces an enormous burden from chronic diseases alone, driving up costs for individuals, hospitals, and insurance companies. Older adults are more likely to acquire chronic conditions, and insurance barriers make access to healthcare significantly more difficult. Low-income adults are particularly at risk for chronic diseases, underscoring the importance of making healthcare affordable for all. Having access to preventative care is key to limiting the development of chronic diseases and reducing disparities. These goals are achievable through expansion of insurance coverage and equitable healthcare access.