Raising the Medicare eligibility age: effects on the young elderly

Health Aff (Millwood). 2003 Jul-Aug;22(4):198-209. doi: 10.1377/hlthaff.22.4.198.

Abstract

If Medicare eligibility were delayed to age sixty-seven, as proposed periodically by policymakers, most sixty-five- and sixty-six-year-olds (the "young elderly") would find alternative sources of coverage. However, the loss of Medicare eligibility would leave about 9 percent of this age group uninsured, while another 11 percent would be underinsured because they could only afford limited nongroup policies. The impact would be much greater for certain subgroups, including blacks, Hispanics, and the poor. A buy-in plan that allows young elderly people to purchase Medicare coverage could reduce uninsurance rates, but only if it subsidizes premiums for those with limited incomes.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Age Factors*
  • Aged
  • Eligibility Determination / economics
  • Eligibility Determination / legislation & jurisprudence*
  • Fees and Charges
  • Health Services Accessibility / economics
  • Health Services Accessibility / statistics & numerical data
  • Health Services Research
  • Humans
  • Medically Uninsured / statistics & numerical data
  • Medicare / economics
  • Medicare / legislation & jurisprudence*
  • Middle Aged
  • Policy Making
  • Poverty / statistics & numerical data
  • Vulnerable Populations / statistics & numerical data*