Can Baby Boomers Afford Healthcare in the New Year?

Can Baby Boomers Afford Healthcare in the New Year?

As reported on the Today Show in their segment “Today’s Boomer Nation” the Association for the Advancement of Retired Persons (AARP) offered some staggering statistics related to Baby Boomers (those Americans born between 1946 and 1964) and Healthcare. Of the nearly 78 million Baby Boomers living in the United States the AARP offered these very concerning statistics; with regards to Baby Boomers’ ability to afford their Medical Care in 2009, 21% surveyed stated they were “not very or not at all confident” and 23% stated they were “somewhat confident.” When it came to their ability to afford prescription drugs in 2009, 17% surveyed stated they were “not very or not at all confident” and 22% stated they were “somewhat confident.” When asked about having already had to cut back on taking or filling their prescription medication because they could not afford them, those who were surveyed from age 45-64, 17% of the people surveyed responded yes. This survey has both short-term and long-term implications for those who cannot afford their Health Care and Medication. An area however not explored in this segment was those Baby Boomers who are living with chronic health conditions such as, Diabetes, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Crohn’s, Colitis, Neurological Disorders, and Cancer. This is just a small sampling of chronic health conditions that hundreds of thousands of Americans live with everyday.

For those who have a chronic health condition, many will require daily consumable healthcare products in order to live with these lifelong conditions. Such consumable healthcare products might include diabetic testing supplies, insulin, syringes, ostomy supplies and incontinence products. The cost of such supplies varies significantly, from less than a hundred dollars per month to well into the thousands of dollars per month depending upon the severity or if multiple chronic health conditions exist. Certainly for people having to deal with these existing health conditions, a lack of insurance or financial resources to pay for their needed and necessary healthcare products, can create a great deal of distress in their lives. For those now having to pay out-of-pocket for their healthcare products, many may quickly come to the realization that they cannot afford the product brands that they have come to rely upon and trust over the years. Some manufacturers will offer their consumers either free or reduced cost product for a period of time and during financial hardship. Many support groups or national organizations that support those living with a related chronic health condition may be able to offer similar support. Others may need to seek out more cost effective alternatives that will fulfill their healthcare needs.

Over the years as both a Registered Nurse and my time as a Medical Device Sales Representative, I have met and spoken with many people who were trying to make ends meet financially while at the same time dealing with a chronic health condition and paying out-of-pocket for their necessary healthcare products. This is ultimately what has prompted me to start Baby Boomer Medical, Inc. and www.directbuymedical.com to be used as a resource for folks who are paying out-of-pocket for their healthcare products and supplies. By focusing on this one healthcare need I am able to keep prices low as I am not constrained by the guidelines of Medicare or other Insurances. By working with our healthcare product manufacturers we are able to offer multiple affordable healthcare product solutions as well as setting up product sampling for consumer trial before having to buy a product that might not be ideal for our customers’ need. For those who find themselves paying for their healthcare products, I would recommend not only shopping prices, but making certain the company you work with can provide reliable service, reliable delivery, and is willing to take the time to work with you in finding the most clinically effective and affordable healthcare products. Also, contact your product manufacturer, many of which will have clinical staff you can consult with. They can help to insure you are using their products effectively and may be able to offer ways for you to optimize the use of their products. Knowledge is power and asking is free, so seek out resources that are willing to work with you.

Joshua E. Hatfield, RN

President

Baby Boomer Medical, Inc.

800-860-8612

http://www.directbuymedical.com

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