Rising Elderly Healthcare Costs in Broward County

An aging US population results in an increase in chronic medical conditions which subsequently, leads to a significant increase in health care cost. By 2040, approximately 160 million people will have chronic diseases, resulting in an increase in the cost of medical care to as high as $864 billion. Using Broward Regional Health Planning Council data, a multiple year comparison of the number of admissions and the hospital expenditures for five selected chronic diseases: Hypertension, Diabetes, Congestive Heart Failure (CHF), Asthma, and AIDS, was performed, focusing on the 65 and over age group. From 2006 to 2009, the total number of hypertension admissions decreased from 39,858 patients to 37,850 patients for the 65 and over population in Broward County. However, the total expenditures for the same population increased from $1,500 million to $1700 million. Similarly, there is a steady increase in Hospital Expenditure for Diabetes, with little change in number of admissions, since 2006. In 2009, less than a sixth of the Broward County population was of age 65 and older (14%). In that same year, 58% of the total chronic disease expenditure was represented by the 65 and over population. The hospital expenditures for the elderly are increasing at a higher rate than rate of admissions. In Broward County, the number of admissions for hypertension has decreased, yet the hospital expenditure continues to increase. This calls for greater attention to prevention initiatives and a closer look at more cost-effective management strategies for chronic diseases in the elderly.