Summary

A report comparing 10 developed countries found that older Americans pay the most for healthcare, despite Medicare coverage.

Significant gaps in Medicare, including cost-sharing, lack of vision, dental, and hearing care, and no cap on out-of-pocket costs, lead many to skip or delay care.

Nearly a quarter of older Americans spent over $2,000 on healthcare last year, compared to less than 5% in countries like France and the Netherlands.

The U.S. healthcare system is the world’s most expensive but underperforms in accessibility, equity, and health outcomes, exacerbating challenges for older adults.