AARP Survey Finds 1 in 5 Boomers Worried About Affording Health Care in 2009

December 23, 2008

Contact: Drew Nannis 202-434-2560 anannis@aarp.org 

WASHINGTON—A new AARP survey released today examines the health care and prescription drug challenges facing Boomers and older Americans in the weakened economy. The poll of Americans age 45-plus shows positive signs that much of the population is embracing healthy habits and practicing wise use of prescription drugs, but finds they can do more to reduce their health care bills and improve their health.

Boomers and older Americans worried about health care costs
The survey showed significant concern among all age groups about future health care bills. More than one in five Americans age 45 to 64 (21%) reported being not very or not at all confident that they could afford medical care in 2009.

AARP Senior Vice President Cheryl Matheis noted, “The Boomers are at a high risk of being uninsured, and they’re particularly worried. They’re concerned about losing their job-based coverage or not keeping up with the high premiums of individual coverage. And they don’t have the safety net that Medicare provides for older people.”

While those 65 and older were less worried, the effects of the down economy were evident. A full 70 percent of those surveyed who are enrolled in the Medicare Part D prescription drug program said their current Part D premium was as much as they could afford, up from 54 percent in a similar 2007 AARP survey. However, the study found less than half (44%) of people in Part D are even somewhat likely to shop for a new plan during open enrollment—ending December 31—which could save them hundreds in out-of-pocket costs next year.

“The vast majority of people in Part D say their drug plan premium is as much as they can afford, but if they don’t act before the New Year, they may miss their best opportunity to lower their costs for the coming year,” Matheis said. She added that AARP strongly encourages people in Medicare to reevaluate their prescription drug plans each year to find a plan with the best value for them.

The survey found the impact of rising health care costs is already alarming. Fifteen percent of all respondents said they had cut back on medications or not filled a prescription in the past year because they could not afford it. Such behaviors may increase patients’ risk of developing more significant health problems that require drastic and costly health care later in life.

Most people age 45-plus practicing “wise use” of their prescriptions
As concerns about cost increase, the survey shows Americans have adopted habits to improve their health and lower their health care costs. A majority of those surveyed are using their medications wisely by having regular assessments of their prescriptions by their doctor (80%), asking about generic versions when getting a new prescription (67%) and keeping a personal medication record (62%). Nearly 60 percent of those 55 to 64 reported asking their doctor about other ways to reduce their medications—like increased physical activity and dietary changes.

A large majority (70%) of respondents said they have talked to their doctor or pharmacist about drug side effects, and even more (82%) read the literature provided with their prescriptions.

“It’s promising to see so many older Americans taking personal responsibility for their health and making healthy decisions about their prescription drugs,” Matheis said. “It’s crucial that Americans make the effort to review their prescriptions with their doctor and pharmacist, and seek out detailed information about the drugs they’re taking. They cannot count on the health care system to do it for them.”

Room for improvement
While most older Americans surveyed are practicing good health habits, the survey found many are still missing out on easy ways to reduce their health care bills and control the growth of health care spending. Only a third of respondents reported seeking out information to compare drug prices (36%). AARP.org has tools available to find safety and cost information, as well as generic alternatives.

Respondents age 45 to 54 and 65-plus were less likely than older Boomers to discuss options to reduce their prescription drug needs, like exercise and diet. Only 42 percent of those 45 to 54 and 47 percent of people 65-plus had done so in the past year. “There’s an opportunity with these age groups to increase healthy behaviors and possibly reduce their reliance on prescription drugs,” Matheis said.

Woelfel Research conducted the telephone survey for AARP among a nationally representative sample of 1,001 adults 45-plus in November of 2008. The sampling error is +/- three percentage points at the 95 percent confidence level. A complete copy of AARP’s survey is available at http://www.aarp.org/research/health/drugs/rx_future_08.html.

AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization that helps people 50+ have independence, choice and control in ways that are beneficial and affordable to them and society as a whole. AARP does not endorse candidates for public office or make contributions to either political campaigns or candidates. We produce AARP The Magazine, the definitive voice for 50+ Americans and the world's largest-circulation magazine with over 34.5 million readers; AARP Bulletin, the go-to news source for AARP's 40 million members and Americans 50+; AARP Segunda Juventud, the only bilingual U.S. publication dedicated exclusively to the 50+ Hispanic community; and our website, AARP.org. AARP Foundation is an affiliated charity that provides security, protection, and empowerment to older persons in need with support from thousands of volunteers, donors, and sponsors. We have staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.