Factors Associated with Mental Health of Medicare Beneficiaries During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

OBJECTIVES
This study examined factors associated with the mental health of Medicare beneficiaries during the COVID-19 pandemic.


METHODS
The Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey COVID-19 Supplement administered in the Fall of 2020 of beneficiaries aged ≥65 years was analyzed (n = 6,173). A survey-weighted logistic model, adjusted for socio-demographics and comorbidities, was performed to examine factors (e.g., accessibility of medical/daily needs, financial security, and social connectivity) associated with stress/anxiety.


RESULTS
Of Medicare beneficiaries, 40.8% reported feeling more stressed/anxious during the pandemic. Factors that were associated with this increased stress/anxiety include the inability to get home supplies (95% CI [3.4%, 16.5%]) or a doctor's appointment (95% CI [1.7%, 20.7%]), feeling less financially secure (95% CI [23.1%, 33.2%]) or socially connected (95% CI [19.1%, 25.6%]), and being female (95% CI [7.2%, 12.2%]), when compared with their respective counterparts. Non-Hispanic blacks were less likely to report feeling more stressed/anxious than non-Hispanic whites (95% CI [-19.9%, -9.0%]).


CONCLUSIONS
Our findings highlight that beneficiaries' mental health was adversely influenced by the pandemic, particularly in those who felt financially insecure and socially disconnected.


CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS
It is warranted to screen at risk beneficiaries for stress/anxiety during Medicare wellness visits and advocate for programs to reduce those risk factors.