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Study Reveals Coverage Gap for Near Low-Income Medicare Beneficiaries

9/24/2025

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Summary

Story summary

Near low-income Medicare beneficiaries face a coverage gap and affordability barriers, per a JAMA Network Open study; researchers call targeted policy actions to improve access.
The study analyzed 24,398 Medicare beneficiaries from 2018–2022 at 100%–150% of the federal poverty level (FPL).
Affordability problems affect 54% of near low-income beneficiaries versus 43% of low-income peers. Near low-income spending averages $12,831 annually.

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Story summary

Near low-income Medicare beneficiaries face a coverage gap and affordability barriers, per a JAMA Network Open study; researchers call targeted policy actions to improve access.
The study analyzed 24,398 Medicare beneficiaries from 2018–2022 at 100%–150% of the federal poverty level (FPL).
Affordability problems affect 54% of near low-income beneficiaries versus 43% of low-income peers. Near low-income spending averages $12,831 annually.