Alzheimer’s Cost to Medicare Jumps 54%
A new 50-state study shows a jump of 54 percent by the year 2010 in Medicare costs for people with Alzheimer's, raising dire questions about the survival of the current U.S. healthcare system unless a way is found to prevent or delay the disease.
This increase in cost comes even before an expected epidemic of Alzheimer’s hits. Between 2010 and 2050, the number of people with Alzheimer’s will increase from an estimated 5.5 million up to 14 million, as the babyboomers enter the age of highest risk.
“This imminent epidemic of Alzheimer’s disease threatens to bankrupt Medicare and Medicaid. We must act now and invest in research programs,” said Stephen McConnell, vice president of the Alzheimer’s Association.
A study prepared by The Lewin Group shows within 10 years, the cost to Medicare of treating people with Alzheimer's disease will soar from $31.9 billion in 2000 to $49.3 billion in 2010.
“Scientists now know that the process that destroys brain cells begins in the brain at least 10 years before the symptoms of Alzheimer’s appear, ” said McConnell. “If we haven’t found a way to slow down or stop that process before the babyboomers start turning 65, it may be too late to save most of them from the disease.”
Most people who get Alzheimer’s and related dementias are Medicare beneficiaries. Even though Medicare does not pay for what they need most, long term care and prescription drugs, it spends a lot on their basic health care. Alzheimer-related health care costs are not limited to those with the disease. Caregivers—one-third of whom are Medicare beneficiaries themselves have more health problems than others their age.
Nearly half of Medicare beneficiaries with Alzheimer’s disease also qualify for Medicaid, because they have exhausted their own resources paying for long term care. At least half of all nursing home residents have dementia. They are the residents with the longest stays and the ones most likely to spend down to Medicaid.
The Alzheimer's Association is the largest private funder of Alzheimer research. The Association has committed more than $100 million toward research into the causes, treatment, prevention, and cure of Alzheimer's. Got questions? Want to help? You can reach the Alzheimer's Association at 1-800-272-3900.
See related articles in the AgeVenture archives.
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