Journal article
The Impact of Closing Medicare Part D Coverage Gap on Mental Health of Adults Over Age 65
Journal of applied gerontology, Vol.44(6), pp.927-937
06/2025
DOI: 10.1177/07334648241290324
PMID: 39417390
Abstract
Using Medical Expenditure Panel Survey data from 2006 to 2019, this study assessed the effect of closing Medicare Part D coverage gap on mental health of older adults. We employed difference-in-differences and compared mental health outcomes of older adults on Medicare with those on private insurance before and after the 2011 policy change. Findings showed a 0.447-point reduction in the Kessler Index 6 (K-6) score after closure. These findings were mainly attributable to women, Hispanics, individuals with multiple chronic conditions, and those in Traditional Medicare. A reduction in out-of-pocket (OOP) expenditures appeared to be the primary mechanism for this finding. Our analysis was robust to several specifications, including using different measures of mental health and alternate constructions of treatment and control groups. The closure of the Medicare Part D coverage gap improved mental health among beneficiaries, potentially by reducing financial strain associated with high OOP expenditures.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- The Impact of Closing Medicare Part D Coverage Gap on Mental Health of Adults Over Age 65
- Creators
- Junjie Gai - University of IowaKanika Arora - University of Iowa
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Journal of applied gerontology, Vol.44(6), pp.927-937
- DOI
- 10.1177/07334648241290324
- PMID
- 39417390
- NLM abbreviation
- J Appl Gerontol
- ISSN
- 1552-4523
- eISSN
- 1552-4523
- Publisher
- SAGE PUBLICATIONS INC
- Grant note
The author(s) acknowledge helpful comments from the participants in the departmental seminar at Health Management and Policy at the University of Iowa and the participants at the Association of Public Policy Analysis and Management Fall Research Conference (2023).
- Language
- English
- Electronic publication date
- 10/17/2024
- Date published
- 06/2025
- Academic Unit
- Health Management and Policy
- Record Identifier
- 9984736600802771
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