Improving Older Adults' Health by Reducing Administrative Burden

Abstract

Policy Points Administrative burdens, which are the onerous experiences people have when trying to access government benefits and services, reduce older adult's access to health promoting policies. Although considerable attention has been focused on threats to the old-age welfare state, ranging from long-term financing problems to attempts to roll back benefits, administrative barriers to these programs already threaten their effectiveness. Reducing administrative burden is a viable way to improve population health among older adults going forward over the next decade.

Keywords: administrative burden; health disparities; social policy.

Figure 1

Proposed Health Impacts of Administrative Burden [Colour figure can be viewed at wileyonlinelibrary.com] Figure is adapted from Reference 33. Learning and compliance costs impact psychological costs. Psychological costs may also directly impact health outcomes. SNAP, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program; SSI, Supplemental Security Income.

Figure 2

Choice Set for Medicare Beneficiaries Reproduced from Reference 68. FFS, fee for service; MSA, Medicare Medical Savings Account; QMB, Qualified Medicare Beneficiary Program; SLMB, Specified Low‐Income Medicare Beneficiary Program⁶⁸