Title | Physical and/or Cognitive Impairment, Out-of-Pocket Spending, and Medicaid Entry among Older Adults. |
Publication Type | Journal Article |
Year of Publication | 2016 |
Authors | Willink, A, Davis, K, Schoen, C, Wolff, JL |
Journal | J Urban Health |
Volume | 93 |
Issue | 5 |
Pagination | 840-850 |
Date Published | 2016 10 |
ISSN Number | 1468-2869 |
Keywords | Aged, Cognitive Dysfunction, Delivery of Health Care, Disabled Persons, Eligibility Determination, Female, Financing, Personal, Humans, Insurance Coverage, Insurance, Health, Male, Medicaid, Middle Aged, United States |
Abstract | While Medicare provides health insurance coverage for those over 65 years of age, many still are underinsured, experiencing substantial out-of-pocket costs for covered and non-covered services as a proportion of their income. Using the Health and Retirement Study (HRS), this study found that being underinsured is a significant predictor of entering into Medicaid coverage over a 16-year period. The rate of entering Medicaid was almost twice as high for those who were underinsured and with physical and/or cognitive impairment than those who were not, while supplemental health insurance reduced the rate of entering Medicaid by 30 %. Providing more comprehensive coverage through the traditional Medicare program, including a ceiling on out-of-pocket expenditures or targeted support for those with physical or cognitive impairment, could postpone becoming covered by Medicaid and yield savings in Medicaid. |
URL | https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs11524-016-0078-1 |
DOI | 10.1007/s11524-016-0078-1 |
User Guide Notes | |
Alternate Journal | J Urban Health |
Citation Key | 8674 |
PubMed ID | 27653385 |
PubMed Central ID | PMC5052151 |