Title | Age Differences in the Association Between Body Mass Index Class and Annualized Medicare Expenditures. |
Publication Type | Journal Article |
Year of Publication | 2016 |
Authors | Clark, DO, Lane, KA, Ambuehl, R, Tu, W, Liu, C-J, Unroe, KT, Callahan, CM |
Journal | J Aging Health |
Volume | 28 |
Issue | 1 |
Pagination | 165-79 |
Date Published | 2016 Feb |
ISSN Number | 1552-6887 |
Keywords | Age Factors, Aged, Body Mass Index, Female, Health Expenditures, Humans, Male, Medicare, Obesity, United States |
Abstract | OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study is to assess the relationship between body mass index (BMI) class and Medicare claims among young-old (65-69), old (70-74), and old-old (75+) adults over a 10-year period. METHOD: We assessed costs by BMI class and age group among 9,300 respondents to the 1998 Health and Retirement Study (HRS) with linked 1998-2008 Medicare claims data. BMI was classified as normal (18.5-24.9), overweight (25-29.9), mild obesity (30-34.9), or severe obesity (35 or above). RESULTS: Annualized total Medicare claims adjusted for age, gender, ethnicity, education, and smoking history were 109% greater for severely obese young-old adults in comparison with normal weight young-old adults (US$9,751 vs. US$4,663). Total annualized claim differences between the normal weight and severely obese in the old and old-old groups were not statistically significant. DISCUSSION: Excess Medicare expenditures related to obesity may be concentrated among severely obese young-old adults. Preventing severe obesity among middle and older aged adults may have large cost implications for society. |
URL | http://jah.sagepub.com/content/28/1/165 |
DOI | 10.1177/0898264315589574 |
User Guide Notes | |
Alternate Journal | J Aging Health |
Citation Key | 8357 |
PubMed ID | 26112066 |
PubMed Central ID | PMC4691214 |
Grant List | P30 AG024967 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States U01 AG009740 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States R01 AG031222 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States UL1 TR001108 / TR / NCATS NIH HHS / United States P30AG024967 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States U01AG009740 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States R01AG031222 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States |