Out-Of-Pocket Health Spending 45% Higher For Medicare Beneficiaries With Functional Disabilities

Out-of-pocket health spending is about 45.6% higher for Medicare beneficiaries with a severe functional disability. Out-of-pocket spending for beneficiaries with functional disabilities averaged $2,137, while those without functional disabilities had out-of-pocket health spending of $1,468. Those with moderate functional disability saw average out-of-pocket spending of $1,673: approximately 14.0% higher than those without functional disability, and 27.7% less than those with severe functional disability. Functional disability is defined as acquired difficulties in performing daily tasks or maintaining independent living.

The primary factors that played a role in . . .