As Medicare patients grow older and sicker, there is an increase in patient acuity and use of healthcare services, according to an AHA TrendWatch report.
The report discusses Medicare patients' health and its relationship to use of healthcare services, and the increasing intensity of care in hospital settings.
Key data points include the following:
• Since 2000, life expectancy has increased by 1.8 percent — approximately 17 months — for the general population. Combined with the aging of baby boomers, this increase is estimated to more than double the number of Medicare beneficiaries over the next 40 years.
• In 2008, two-thirds of all Medicare beneficiaries had at least two chronic conditions, and this number is expected to increase.
• In general, overall healthcare spending for someone with one chronic condition is nearly three times more than for someone without any chronic conditions, and approximately 17 times greater for someone with five or more chronic conditions.
• In 2008, per capita expenditures for beneficiaries aged 65 to 74 were $7,626, while expenditures for those aged 85 and older were $13,219.
AHA suggested policymakers consider the rising acuity of Medicare patients when they make changes to payment systems.
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The report discusses Medicare patients' health and its relationship to use of healthcare services, and the increasing intensity of care in hospital settings.
Key data points include the following:
• Since 2000, life expectancy has increased by 1.8 percent — approximately 17 months — for the general population. Combined with the aging of baby boomers, this increase is estimated to more than double the number of Medicare beneficiaries over the next 40 years.
• In 2008, two-thirds of all Medicare beneficiaries had at least two chronic conditions, and this number is expected to increase.
• In general, overall healthcare spending for someone with one chronic condition is nearly three times more than for someone without any chronic conditions, and approximately 17 times greater for someone with five or more chronic conditions.
• In 2008, per capita expenditures for beneficiaries aged 65 to 74 were $7,626, while expenditures for those aged 85 and older were $13,219.
AHA suggested policymakers consider the rising acuity of Medicare patients when they make changes to payment systems.
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