What portion of medical spending in the US is spent on the elderly?

[SenorBeef]

I was talking to my grandma about the various medical tests that had been done to her recently, and it occured to me how much they’re spending to trace down what are ultimately unfixable symptoms of a body getting old and breaking down. I figure all the medical treatment in my life probably hasn’t cost as much as the average month - or maybe even week - for her.

So how much of our (the US, and/or the world) medical expenditures are going to the elderly?

Is there a small subgroup of people who, nearing death, have numerous hard to track down and treat problem who are receiving a vastly disproportionate amount of medical expenditures?

[Chief_Pedant]

@SenorBeef

I was talking to my grandma about the various medical tests that had been done to her recently, and it occured to me how much they’re spending to trace down what are ultimately unfixable symptoms of a body getting old and breaking down. I figure all the medical treatment in my life probably hasn’t cost as much as the average month - or maybe even week - for her.

So how much of our (the US, and/or the world) medical expenditures are going to the elderly?

Is there a small subgroup of people who, nearing death, have numerous hard to track down and treat problem who are receiving a vastly disproportionate amount of medical expenditures?

This link may help a little: http://www.cms.hhs.gov/NationalHealthExpendData/downloads/2004-highlights.pdf In round numbers 2.5k/yr for kids; 4.5k/yr for workers; 15k/yr for those over 65.

The last year is very expensive but of course you don’t know it’s the last year in advance and you don’t always know it’s hopeless in advance.

Another figure I’ve seen is that the elderly get about 30% of the healthcare dollar and represent about 10% of the populace.

Try this for more links: http://www.cms.hhs.gov/NationalHealthExpendData/04_NationalHealthAccountsAgePHC.asp#TopOfPage