Incidence of Americans with multiple chronic illnesses rise, along with out-of-pocket costs
Posted on 2009-01-22 08:16:31 in
Aging |
Diabetes |
Longevity and Age Management |
Weight and Obesity |
More Americans – especially seniors – are suffering from multiple chronic illnesses, such as diabetes and high blood pressure, which is placing a greater cost burden on their shoulders.
In addition, as researchers in the journal Health Affairs reported, annual out-of-pocket medical costs soared over the same time frame, from $427 per American to $741 – a 39% increase after adjusting for inflation. The burden on older Americans is much higher. Medicare recipients 65 and older with three or more conditions paid an average of $2,588 in out-of-pocket expenses. “The burden of chronic conditions is becoming heavier,” says Kathryn Paez of the Maryland-based health research organization Social & Scientific Systems Inc. “The higher costs may make it harder for some people to pay for needed medications – and they may not stay on them or they may skip doses, worsening their medical conditions,” she adds.
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