The number of people enrolling in Medicare is continually increasing as the baby-boom generation reaches retirement age. "Most of the projected spending in the major federal health program is for people age 65 or older" ("Options For Reducing The Deficit: 2017 To 2026", n.d.). "Raising the Age Eligibility for Medicare to 67 is one option to reduce spending offered in chapter 5 of The Congressional Budget Office website report, Options for Reducing the Deficit: 2017 to 2026. Physician practices would be affected by raising the age for Medicare to 67.
Generally, patient health status diminishes with age. Health degradation is a direct correlation to Medicare per capita spending. According to The Henry J Kaiser Family Foundation (2015), traditional Medicare per capita spending increased with age in 2011 and peaked at age 96 before declining (Key Findings). Increased spending equally increases the use of benefits and services. Under this option, although many individuals will either remain insured by their employer, pick up coverage through the marketplace, or become eligible for Medicaid, many individuals will be left uninsured. The uninsured patient is at constant risk that could quickly bankrupt physician practices, causing the physician to manage the care in such a way to minimize the need for specialists and hospital care, critical to both the health and financial well-being of the patient. (Lambert, 2018). Managing care in this way might cause the patient to receive a lower level of care or no care at all. According to option 9 "Raising the Age Eligibility for Medicare to 67" about 300,000 more people would be uninsured under this option in 2026 (Options for Reducing the Deficit: 2017 to 2026, n.d.). Physician practice have to manage the care of uninsured patient could quickly bankrupt may practices.
References
The Henry J Kaiser Family Foundation. (2015). The Rising Cost of Living Longer: Analysis of Medicare Spending by Age for Beneficiaries in Traditional Medicare. https://www.kff.org/medicare/report...ge-for-beneficiaries-in-traditional-medicare/
Lambert, R. (2018). Giving Primary Care to the Uninsured Patient. https://www.physicianspractice.com/view/giving-primary-care-uninsured-patient
Options for Reducing the Deficit: 2017 to 2026 (n.d.).
https://www.cbo.gov/sites/default/files/114th-congress-2015-2016/reports/52142-budgetoptions2.pdf
Generally, patient health status diminishes with age. Health degradation is a direct correlation to Medicare per capita spending. According to The Henry J Kaiser Family Foundation (2015), traditional Medicare per capita spending increased with age in 2011 and peaked at age 96 before declining (Key Findings). Increased spending equally increases the use of benefits and services. Under this option, although many individuals will either remain insured by their employer, pick up coverage through the marketplace, or become eligible for Medicaid, many individuals will be left uninsured. The uninsured patient is at constant risk that could quickly bankrupt physician practices, causing the physician to manage the care in such a way to minimize the need for specialists and hospital care, critical to both the health and financial well-being of the patient. (Lambert, 2018). Managing care in this way might cause the patient to receive a lower level of care or no care at all. According to option 9 "Raising the Age Eligibility for Medicare to 67" about 300,000 more people would be uninsured under this option in 2026 (Options for Reducing the Deficit: 2017 to 2026, n.d.). Physician practice have to manage the care of uninsured patient could quickly bankrupt may practices.
References
The Henry J Kaiser Family Foundation. (2015). The Rising Cost of Living Longer: Analysis of Medicare Spending by Age for Beneficiaries in Traditional Medicare. https://www.kff.org/medicare/report...ge-for-beneficiaries-in-traditional-medicare/
Lambert, R. (2018). Giving Primary Care to the Uninsured Patient. https://www.physicianspractice.com/view/giving-primary-care-uninsured-patient
Options for Reducing the Deficit: 2017 to 2026 (n.d.).
https://www.cbo.gov/sites/default/files/114th-congress-2015-2016/reports/52142-budgetoptions2.pdf