powered by LeadingAge New York
  1. Home
  2. » Topics
  3. » Data
  4. » DataPoints Archive
  5. » DataPoint: Medicare Beneficiary Profile

DataPoint: Medicare Beneficiary Profile

Based on a national Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) study, 35 percent of Medicare beneficiaries in 2016 were age 75 and over, which was the same percentage during 2015. Four percent of Medicare beneficiaries lived in a facility at least partially during 2016. Among Medicare beneficiaries who resided only in facilities, 48 percent were at least age 85, and 23 percent were between ages 75 and 84.

Very good or excellent health status was self-reported by 46 percent of Medicare recipients, while 7 percent reported poor health. Two or more disabilities were self-reported by 27 percent of all Medicare beneficiaries included in the nationwide study and by 43 percent of those age 85 and over. Home health care services were utilized by 31 percent of Medicare beneficiaries over age 85 living in the community.

Overall utilization of both skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) and long term care (LTC) nursing homes was 4 percent. Utilization increased as recipients aged; 17 percent of beneficiaries over age 75 resided in SNFs, and 21 percent resided in LTC nursing homes. The highest cost for LTC nursing home services was seen in the age 65 to 74 population, totaling $48,649 per user in 2016, compared to $45,778 in 2015.

The data is from the 2016 Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey Annual Chartbook and Slides, which can be accessed here.

Contact: Ken Allison, kallison@leadingageny.org, 518-867-8820