Medicare

Rates of cost-related problems are higher among beneficiaries in Medicare Advantage than in traditional Medicare with supplemental coverage, but highest among beneficiaries in traditional Medicare without supplemental coverage. Among Black beneficiaries specifically, a larger share of those in Medicare Advantage reported cost-related problems than those in traditional Medicare (32% vs. 24%). The rate of cost-related problems was lower still among the subset of Black beneficiaries in traditional Medicare who had Medicaid or other sources of supplemental insurance (20%).

FDA approval of Aduhelm, a medication for Alzheimer’s with an annual price tag of $56,000, raises hopes for patients and their families — along with serious cost concerns for patients and payers, particularly Medicare. In 2017 nearly 2 million Medicare beneficiaries used one or more of the Alzheimer’s treatments covered under Part D. If just one-quarter are prescribed Aduhelm, spending for the drug could be nearly $29 billion a year.

Older Americans, a group hit disproportionately hard by the coronavirus pandemic, are now among those in the U.S. who are most likely to have been vaccinated against COVID-19. Nevertheless, our new county-level analysis finds that rates of fully vaccinated older adults vary considerably across the country. Rates tend to be lower in counties with a higher share of seniors in poverty, counties located in the South, and counties with a higher share of adults who voted for Trump.

Fifty-seven percent of Medicare beneficiaries do not review or compare their coverage options annually – a decision that can lead to unanticipated costs or coverage disruptions as beneficiaries pick Part D stand-alone drug plans and Medicare Advantage plans. Medicare’s annual open enrollment period runs from October 15 through December 7.