Study Shows that Millions of Seniors Can’t Afford Their Prescriptions

A recent National Health Statistics report indicates that millions of Americans are having a difficult time affording their prescription medication. The study, which was published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, found that approximately 4% of those aged 65 and older can’t afford their prescription at all. More than 3% of them admitted to skipping doses, delaying when they fill their prescription or taking less medication than prescribed to ration what they had.

According to the study, older adults who were food insecure were six times more likely to not get their prescription medication,” said Robin A. Cohen, study co-author and statistician with the CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics.

One doctor reported that one of her patients with diabetes couldn’t afford his monthly dose of insulin, so he would ration his insulin. This was despite the fact that the patient was on both Medicaid and Medicare. According to the doctor, the monthly copay was challenging for him to pay on a month-to-month basis. The doctor also reported seeing this problem when a patient needed a more expensive medication because a cheaper alternative didn’t work. The doctor said she had patients who take their medication once a day instead of the recommended twice a day or three times a day and then “continue to walk around with uncontrolled high blood pressure.” This puts the patient at increased risk of stroke, heart attack, and damage to the eyes and kidneys. Increased blood pressure is also a risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease.

Ultimately, this situation will place more pressure on the hospitals. “The downstream effects are going to be that we’re going to see more patients in hospitals, and emergency rooms. That puts a huge burden on the healthcare system.”

Generally speaking, adults over the age of 65 qualify for universal health care under Medicare. Medicare covers doctors’ visits and hospital stays. However, medications aren’t automatically included. Older adults must enroll in Medicare Part D, the prescription drug plan, or a private insurance plan that helps pay for medications. Even when their scripts are covered, many will be required to pay copays and premiums on private insurance to cover the cost of their prescriptions. This is resulting in a situation where some Americans are defying their doctor’s orders, not taking their medication, and allowing complex degenerative conditions to reach critical boiling points.

There are, however, ways to reduce the cost of medications. Websites such as GoodRX offer coupons for customers sometimes at lower prices. Other discount pharmacies such as Cost Plus Drugs have hundreds of medications available for purchase at lower prices. Insurance-preferred pharmacy programs can also help reduce costs related to prescriptions. These are pharmacies that have an agreement with an insurance plan to charge less to fill prescriptions.

In addition, the Biden administration recently announced an agreement with drug companies to lower the price of 10 prescription medications for people on Medicare Part D. These will go into effect on Jan. 1, 2026.

Talk to a Virginia Beach Elder Law Attorney Today 

The Law Office of Angela N. Manz represents the interests of older Americans concerned with estate planning, long-term care needs, and more. Call our Virginia Beach estate planning lawyers today to schedule an appointment, and we can begin addressing your needs right away.

Source:

abcnews.go.com/Health/millions-seniors-afford-prescription-medications-study/story?id=113421405