Perspective
Education, Disabilities Affect Medicare Decisions
A report by Mathematica Policy Research says that it is more difficult for people with disabilities, little education, or a low level of literacy to make informed decisions about their Medicare options. Other vulnerable groups of people with Medicare include those with income levels of $20,000 or less, those in fair or poor health, those age 85 and older, and minorities, said Mathematica. Further factors that limit a person's ability to make informed decisions about their Medicare options include lack of support during the decision-making process, inability to access information, and lack of seeing insurance decisions as a priority.
Policymakers should be aware of the diversity among people with Medicare and the need to direct educational efforts towards these diverse, vulnerable groups. To improve people's access to information on Medicare options, Mathematica recommends
- improved involvement of doctors and hospitals with people with disabilities;
- educational outreach to the families of people age 85 and older so that family members can help them make health care decisions; and
- new ways to reach people with limited education and low incomes because traditional information sources, such as mass and print media or the Internet, tend not to reach this group of people.
If you need information about your Medicare options, call your State Health Insurance Assistance Program, or SHIP. The number is listed in Medicare and You.
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