Medicare doesn't work as well for younger, disabled beneficiaries as it does for older enrollees.
Medicare is not working as well for its eight million disabled beneficiaries under age sixty-five as it is for its older beneficiaries. We report on a 2008 survey that found significant differences between the two Medicare populations, with the younger group experiencing more problems of cost and access. Even with the Medicare Part D prescription drug program, the nonelderly disabled reported greater difficulty in affording medications, and more adverse health consequences as a result. One potential remedy is the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. The law includes reforms that could improve access to care and limit out-of-pocket expenses for the nonelderly disabled in Medicare-as well as those who are waiting to become eligible for the program.
Cubanski
Juliette
J
Medicare Policy Project, Kaiser Family Foundation, Washington, DC, USA. JCubanski@kff.org
Neuman
Patricia
P
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D005382:Financing, Personal / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D019458:Insurance Coverage / Q000191:economics* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D006278:Medicare / Q000191:economics*; D054524:Medicare Part D / Q000191:economics; D008875:Middle Aged; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States; D055815:Young Adult