Health care Affordability and Associated Concerns Among Adults Aged 65 and above in Florida

Abstract

Objective: This study assessed affordability of care in a diverse sample of Floridians aged ≥ 65 to ascertain concerns about health care costs. Methods: We surveyed 170 adults (40.6% white, 27.6% black, and 31.8% Hispanic) and conducted three race/ethnic-stratified focus groups ( n = 27). Results: Most participants had Medicare (97.1%). Among whites, 11.6% reported problems paying medical bills in the past 12 months versus 14.9% of blacks and 24.1% of Hispanics. In addition, 13% of whites, 19.2% of blacks, and 20.4% of Hispanics reported not getting needed prescription drugs because of costs. The most frequently identified concerns from the focus groups were the cost of prescription drugs, out-of-pocket expenses, and medical billing. Concerns about medical billing included understanding bills, transparency, timely postings, and uncertainty about who to contact about problems. Discussion: Our findings suggest that practices that help older adults effectively manage medical bills and costs may alleviate their concerns and guard against financial burdens.

Understanding the role of financial health literacy in midlife and old age: A scoping review

“…The participants also shared that it was difficult to anticipate healthcare costs due to uncertainties in the outcomes of their future health issues. Meanwhile, Wiltshire, Garcia Colato, et al ( 2021 ) noted that older adults in the US perceived medical billing as a complex process, with challenges in understanding bill details, transparency and resolution procedures. Their study also noted that participants expressed concerns about medication costs, including gaps in prescription drug coverage, unaffordable prices and overprescribing by physicians.…”

“…Two studies assessed middle‐aged and older adults' financial planning for retirement (Palací et al, 2018 ; Topa et al, 2018 ). Four articles explored problems in following healthcare instructions/paying medical bills due to financial difficulties, utilising the concepts of cost‐related nonadherence and medical financial hardship (Atake, 2020 ; Patel et al, 2016 ; Wiltshire, Garcia Colato, et al, 2021 ; Zhao et al, 2019 ).…”

“…People from racial and ethnic minority groups, such as Blacks and Hispanics, were noted to have lower financial/health literacy than White non‐Hispanics in the US (Bavafa et al, 2019 ; James et al, 2012 ). Compared to Whites, racial and ethnic minorities in the US encountered more problems in paying medical bills, with patients unable to pick up/fill their prescriptions due to unaffordability (Wiltshire, Garcia Colato, et al, 2021 ). Poor health status was also associated with lower financial literacy or health insurance literacy in older adults (Bavafa et al, 2019 ; James et al, 2018 ; Wiltshire, Liu, et al, 2021 ).…”