This HCFA funded study examines three issues: (i) what is the prevalence of Dementia and its correlates among Medicare beneficiaries with mental health disorders, (ii) what is the Healthcare cost of elderly with dementia, and (iii) what are the dementia comorbid conditions and their health related costs? We used a 5% random sample of Medicare elderly of Tennessee during 1991-1993 (n=33,688). ICD-9 diagnoses associated with psychiatric illness were used from the Medicare billing data to develop service histories of patients. Among the elderly diagnosed with mental illness, those receiving a diagnosis of dementia were compared with those not so classified. The total sample included whites (90%), females (68%), and those with an average income of $12,429 and an average age of 77. Among those classified with a psychiatric illness (n=5,339), dementia was diagnosed among 25.6% patients (n=1,366). Further analyses indicated that dementia was significantly higher among females than males (27% vs. 23% ), higher among African Americans than whites (33% vs. 25%), older than younger elderly (44% vs. 7%), and those with rather than without a stroke (34% vs. 22% ). Fewer specialists saw patients for dementia diagnostic work. Dementia patients used ambulatory services at higher rates than non-demented patients. Finally, Healthcare costs were higher for dementia than for the non-demented ($14,446 vs. $12,045) and dementia with depression than dementia with other comorbid conditions. These findings are discussed from the perspective of Medicare payments.
Learning Objectives: 1. Audience will learn about the proportion of Medicare elderly are diagnosed with dementia; 2. Comorbidity of dementia 3. Healthcare cost of dementia among Medicare patients
Keywords: Medicare, Mental Health
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.