Association of Medicare eligibility with access to and affordability of care among older cancer survivors

Older cancer survivors have substantial needs for ongoing care, but they may encounter difficulties accessing care due to cost concerns. We examined whether near-universal insurance coverage through Medicare—a key source of health insurance coverage in this population—is associated with improvements in care access and affordability among older cancer survivors around age 65. In a nationally representative sample of cancer survivors (aged 50–80) from 2006–2018 National Health Interview Survey, we employed a quasi-experimental, regression discontinuity design to estimate changes in insurance coverage, delayed/skipped care due to cost, and worries about or problems paying medical bills at age 65. Medicare coverage sharply increased from 8.3