Access of Baby Boomers
Access of Baby Boomers
A report from the Commonwealth Fund indicated that more than 60% of the adults aged between 50 and 64 who are either working or have a working spouse is diagnosed with at least one chronic condition (O’Brien, 2014). However, the report also stated that one-fifth of this group (i.e. 7 million Americans) either do not have healthcare insurance or have been uninsured since they were 50 (O’Brien, 2014).
Insurance coverage for this patient population becomes even more important because of their increasing healthcare issues, their debt problems, and the high medical costs (O’Brien, 2014). However, even those who are insured have inadequate coverage in that it does not protect them from expenses that are high in relation to their income. Because of this, the out-of-pocket costs incurred by these people not only prevent them from seeking medical care but can also greatly affect their household income, in turn affecting the rest of their family. These out-of-pocket costs would also include those for pre-existing conditions that most insurance companies do not cover.
In sum, the insurance coverage provided to baby boomers determines the accessibility of healthcare services and wellness programs (Deloitte, 2010) for them. It can also affect the status of public health as the baby boomers make up a large part of the population. In this regard, it is important for the government to create policies that will enable baby boomers’ high medical costs and preexisting conditions to be covered by their insurance (Varney, 2010; California Association of Health Plans, 2013). In turn, this will lead to a more equitable access to healthcare.
References
California Association of Health Plans. (2013, January). 7 ways the affordable care act will
impact individual health insurance. Retrieved from
http://www.calhealthplans.org/pdfs/ACAImpactInfographicMultiplePages042913.pdf.
Deloitte. (2010). 2010 survey of health care consumers key findings, strategic implications.
Retrieved from http://www.deloitte.com/assets/Dcom-
UnitedStates/Local%20Assets/Documents/US_CHS_2010SurveyofHealthCareConsumer
s_050310.pdf.
O’Brien, S. (2014). Baby boomers and healthcare: What are the problems, and what can be
done? Retrieved from http://seniorliving.about.com/
od/manageyourmoney/a/healthcarecosts.htm
Varney, S. (2010, December 13). How health care overhaul affects baby boomers. Retrieved
baby-boomers
