Insurers will likely feel effects of rising Alzheimer's cases.An anticipated epidemic of Alzheimer's disease Alzheimer's disease (ăls`hī'mərz, ôls–), degenerative disease of nerve cells in the cerebral cortex that leads to atrophy of the brain and senile dementia. cases over several decades could not only impact long-term-care insurers but take an even greater toll on Medicare and Medicaid Medicare and Medicaid U.S. government programs in effect since 1966. Medicare covers most people 65 or older and those with long-term disabilities. Part A, a hospital insurance plan, also pays for home health visits and hospice care. . The number of individuals with Alzheimer's disease--a degenerative brain disorder that erodes memory and leaves people unable to function mentally or physically--is expected to rise 300% between now and 2050 if no new treatments or preventive efforts are developed, according to according to prep. 1. As stated or indicated by; on the authority of: according to historians. 2. In keeping with: according to instructions. 3. a recent study funded by the Alzheimer's Association The Alzheimer's Association, incorportated on April 10, 1980 as the Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders Association, Inc., is a non-profit American voluntary health organization which focuses on care, support and research for Alzheimer's disease. and the National Institute on Aging The National Institute on Aging is a division of the U.S. National Institutes of Health, located in Bethesda, Maryland. Formed in 1974, NIA's mission is to improve the health and well-being of older Americans through research. It is the primary U.S. . Rapid growth of an aging population, including a significant increase in the number of Americans reaching the age of 85 or older, is contributing to the rise in Alzheimer's cases. For insurers, a rise in Alzheimer's cases will mean increasing costs, said Dr. Judith Black, medical director for senior products at Highmark Inc. Long-term-care insurers will likely feel an even greater pinch. "A rise in Alzheimer's is clearly going to have an impact on the long-term-care industry to the extent that the industry cannot accurately identify at the time of policy issue who is likely to get the disease" said Marc Cohen, president of LifePlans Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary Wholly Owned Subsidiary A subsidiary whose parent company owns 100% of its common stock. Notes: In other words, the parent company owns the company outright and there are no minority owners. , of the Munich Re Group that provides outsourced services to long-term-care insurers. Projected Increase in Alzheimer's Disease 2000 4.5 2010 5.1 2020 5.7 2030 7.7 2040 11 2050 13.2 Source: Alzheimer's Association and National Institute on Aging. Note: Table made from bar graph. |
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