United States Government Publishing Office publisher pbl distributor dst United States Government Accountability Office Health, Education, and Human Services Division author aut Government Organization text government publication eng GAOREPORTS Legislative Agency Publications gao legislative 2010-08-12 U.S. Government Printing Office 1998-06-25 monographic deposited born digital 25 p. GA 1.13:T-HEHS-98-199 https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/GAOREPORTS-T-HEHS-98-199 P0b002ee1803a3377 f:he98199t DGPO 2010-08-12 2011-03-28 GAOREPORTS-T-HEHS-98-199 machine generated eng fdlp REPORT GAOREPORTS-T-HEHS-98-199 T-HEHS-98-199 Employee medical benefits Health insurance cost control Insurance premiums Insurance regulation Health insurance Health care services Elderly persons Retirement benefits Surveys Medicaid Program Medicare Program Census Bureau Current Population Survey Testimony HEHS Too young to qualify for Medicare, many near elderly (55- to 64-year-olds) are considering retirement or gradually moving out of the workforce. These events may be related to declining health, job displacement, or simply the desire for more leisure time. Because health insurance for most Americans is an employment-related benefit, retirement may necessitate looking for another source of affordable coverage. However, insurance bought directly in the individual market or temporary continuation coverage purchased through an employer are typically expensive and may not always be available. Affordability, moreover, may be exacerbated by both declining health and the reduction in income associated with retirement. For some near elderly, an alternative to retiring without insurance is simply to continue working. This report assesses the ability of Americans aged 55 to 64 to obtain health benefits through the private market--either employer-based or individually purchased. GAO discusses the near elderly's (1) health, employment, income, and health insurance status; (2) ability to obtain employer-based health insurance if they retire before becoming eligible for Medicare; and (3) use of and costs associated with buying coverage through the individual market or employer-based continuation insurance. https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/GAOREPORTS-T-HEHS-98-199/html/GAOREPORTS-T-HEHS-98-199.htm https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/GAOREPORTS-T-HEHS-98-199/pdf/GAOREPORTS-T-HEHS-98-199.pdf GAO/T-HEHS-98-199 https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/GAOREPORTS-T-HEHS-98-199 Testimony GAO/T-HEHS-98-199; Private Health Insurance: Employer Coverage Trends Signal; Employee medical benefits Health insurance cost control Insurance premiums Insurance regulation Health insurance Health care services Elderly persons Retirement benefits Surveys Medicaid Program Medicare Program Census Bureau Current Population Survey