Individuals age 85 and older are expanding faster than any other age group and have substantially higher per capita personal healthcare spending and out-of-pocket costs (e.g. deductibles and co-insurance) compared with younger Medicare beneficiaries. In light of previous research indicating that rural older adults ages 85+ are highly susceptible to the high out-of-pocket costs and healthcare expenditures associated with nursing homes and other institutional services, this study examined rural-urban differences in the use and cost of care among Medicare beneficiaries age 85 and older.

Publications

• Patterns of Health Care Use Among Rural-Urban Medicare Beneficiaries Age 85 and Older, 2010-2017
  Policy Brief
  Maine Rural Health Research Center
  Date: 11/2022
  This study examines rural-urban differences in health care use among Medicare beneficiaries age 85+.