East Carolina University Researcher Adds New Findings in the Area of Geriatrics and Gerontology (History of Health Insurance Coverage Gaps And Health Care Use After Gaining Age-based Medicare Coverage): Aging Research – Geriatrics and Gerontology

2025 JAN 21 (NewsRx) -- By a News Reporter-Staff News Editor at Health Policy and Law Daily -- Researchers detail new data in geriatrics and gerontology. According to news reporting from Greenville, North Carolina, by NewsRx journalists, research stated, “This study investigates the relationship between gaps in health insurance coverage prior to Medicare eligibility and subsequent changes in healthcare utilization among older adults in the United States.”

Our news reporters obtained a quote from the research from East Carolina University: “Medicare serves as the primary healthcare system for individuals aged 65 and above, offering access to essential medical services and security to seniors nationwide. Despite this, a significant portion of Americans aged 55-64 experience interruptions in health insurance coverage. Through an examination of Medicare enrollees with the RAND HRS 2020 dataset, we aim to determine whether experiencing coverage gaps before becoming eligible for Medicare is associated with lower utilization of preventive care services after gaining Medicare coverage. We hypothesize that individuals with a history of coverage lapses will present a decrease in attendance at primary care appointments following enrollment in Medicare. The study draws upon existing literature highlighting the challenges faced by uninsured older adults in accessing preventive care, often resorting to emergency department visits for healthcare needs. Additionally, gaps in coverage may lead to delays in diagnosis and treatment, inconsistent access to medications, and increased reliance on emergency room services post-Medicare enrollment.”

According to the news editors, the research concluded: “Our objective is to provide insights into the factors influencing healthcare utilization among older adults transitioning to Medicare, with a focus on the impact of pre-Medicare coverage lapses. Our hope is that by understanding these dynamics, policymakers and healthcare providers can develop targeted interventions to address gaps in coverage and promote equitable access to preventive care services for aging populations.”

For more information on this research see: History of Health Insurance Coverage Gaps And Health Care Use After Gaining Age-based Medicare Coverage. Innovation in Aging, 2024,8(Supplement_1). (Innovation in Aging - https://academic.oup.com/innovateage). The publisher for Innovation in Aging is Oxford University Press (OUP).

A free version of this journal article is available at https://doi.org/10.1093/geroni/igae098.2455.

Our news journalists report that more information may be obtained by contacting Jada Morris, East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina, United States. Additional authors for this research include Dmitry Tumin, Yan Zhang.

(Our reports deliver fact-based news of research and discoveries from around the world.)