Health Care Affordability Problems by Income Level and Subsidy Eligibility in Medicare

In this cross-sectional study of Medicare beneficiaries, health care affordability problems were common. Medicare beneficiaries with near low income, who qualified for only partial financial assistance with Medicare costs, faced greater financial hardship compared with beneficiaries in other income groups. These affordability challenges may have restricted access to needed care, highlighting the need for targeted strategies to enhance financial protections and improve health care affordability for these beneficiaries.