Medicare Spends One-Third More Per Capita for Younger Beneficiaries

Kaiser Family Foundation recently released a study on the differences between older and younger Medicare beneficiaries. Here are some key findings from the report:

·         In 2012, 65% of younger Medicare beneficiaries had a cognitive impairment, vs. 29% of seniors.

·         6 in 10 (59%) younger beneficiaries reported their health status as fair or poor.

·         1 in 5 senior beneficiaries reported their health status as fair or poor.

·         In 2014, half of all Medicare beneficiaries under age 65 lived on income less than $17,050.

·         Spending per capita for beneficiaries over age 65 was $9,972 in 2014.

·         Medicare per capita spending for beneficiaries younger than age 65 averaged $13,098 in 2014.

Source: Kaiser Family Foundation, August 16, 2016