Long Term Care

One in Five Boomers Worried About Affording Healthcare in 2009

A new AARP survey examined the healthcare and prescription drug challenges facing boomers and older Americans in the weakened economy. The poll of Americans age 45-plus shows positive signs that much of the population is embracing healthy habits and practicing wise use of prescription drugs, but finds they can do more to reduce their healthcare bills and improve their health. The survey showed significant concern among all age groups about future healthcare bills. More than one in five Americans age 45 to 64 (21 percent) reported being not very or not at all confident that they could afford medical care in 2009.

While those 65 and older were less worried, the effects of the down economy were evident. A full 70 percent of those surveyed who are enrolled in the Medicare Part D prescription drug program said their current Part D premium was as much as they could afford, up from 54 percent in a similar 2007 AARP survey. However, the study found less than half (44 percent) of the people in Part D were even somewhat likely to shop for a new plan during open enrollment — which ended December 31 — which could have saved them hundreds in out-of-pocket costs for 2009.

The survey found the impact of rising healthcare costs is alarming. Fifteen percent of all respondents said they had cut back on medications or not filled a prescription in the past year because they could not afford it. Such behaviors may increase patients’ risk of developing more significant health problems that require drastic and costly healthcare later in life.

As concerns about cost increase, the survey shows Americans have adopted habits to improve their health and lower their healthcare costs. A majority of those surveyed are using their medications wisely by having regular assessments of their prescriptions by their doctor (80 percent), asking about generic versions when getting a new prescription (67 percent) and keeping a personal medication record (62 percent). Nearly 60 percent of those 55 to 64 reported asking their doctor about other ways to reduce their medications — like increased physical activity and dietary changes. A large majority (70 percent) of respondents said they have talked to their doctor or pharmacist about drug side effects, and even more (82 percent) read the literature provided with their prescriptions.

While most older Americans surveyed are practicing good health habits, the survey found many are still missing out on easy ways to reduce their healthcare bills and control the growth of healthcare spending. Only a third of respondents (36 percent) reported seeking out information to compare drug prices.

Respondents age 45 to 54 and 65-plus were less likely than older Boomers to discuss options to reduce their prescription drug needs, like exercise and diet. Only 42 percent of those 45 to 54 and 47 percent of people 65-plus had done so in the past year.

A complete copy of AARP’s survey is available at: http://www.aarp.org/research/health/drugs/rx_future_08.html.

Source: AARP, December 23, 2008

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