Expansion of Medicare Eligibility
One of the health care reform proposals pending in Congress is to increase medical coverage for Americans by expanding eligibility for Medicare. Today, Medicare is- in general- available to those of any age on Social Security Disability benefits for a certain period of time plus those who are age 65 or older. One proposal is to lower the eligibility age from 65 to 55.
As of July 2008 the U.S. Census Bureau estimate of living Americans age 65 and older was about 39 million. The number of Americans between the ages of 55 and 65 was 34 million. Lowering the Medicare eligibility age as suggested could dramatically increase the number of folks on Medicare.
Of course, not everyone eligible for Medicare opts to take advantage of the program, and many between the ages of 55 and 65 will already have health coverage in place. Nevertheless, a large influx of new Medicare beneficiaries would mean many more cases in which Medicare coordination of benefit issues will arise.
As of July 2008 the U.S. Census Bureau estimate of living Americans age 65 and older was about 39 million. The number of Americans between the ages of 55 and 65 was 34 million. Lowering the Medicare eligibility age as suggested could dramatically increase the number of folks on Medicare.
Of course, not everyone eligible for Medicare opts to take advantage of the program, and many between the ages of 55 and 65 will already have health coverage in place. Nevertheless, a large influx of new Medicare beneficiaries would mean many more cases in which Medicare coordination of benefit issues will arise.
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