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Majority of U.S. older adults say healthcare system is hard to navigate
The John A. Hartford Foundation found 56% of older adults say navigating healthcare is difficult, and 62% say health insurance plans have too many confusing choices.
Older adults in the United States are raising alarms about the healthcare system, with a large share saying it is hard to understand and use. The John A. Hartford Foundation reports that 56% of older adults say navigating the health care system is difficult and stressful, and 62% believe health insurance plans offer too many confusing choices.
The same reporting also points to widespread misinformation about health coverage. For example, it notes that many people assume Medicare will cover long-term nursing home care, but the Kaiser Family Foundation found that 55% of U.S. adults believe Medicare will cover a long-term stay in a nursing home, which the article says is not the case.
Because many older adults will eventually need long-term care, limited coverage and financial confusion can create stress for families. A 2019 government study from the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation found that 70% of adults who live to age 65 will need some Long-Term Services and Supports before they die.
The piece also cites non-government survey data, saying Northwestern Mutuals latest Planning and Progress Study found 61% of American adults expect to need long-term care, and that 74% would prefer to receive care at home rather than in a nursing facility.