In 2011, two-thirds of beneficiaries (66%) had three or more chronic conditions, more than one quarter of all beneficiaries (27%) reported being in fair or poor health, and just over 3 in 10 (31%) had a cognitive or mental impairment. (Figure1).

Nearly one in six beneficiaries (17%) were under age 65 and living with permanent disabilities and 13 percent were ages 85 and over. Two million beneficiaries (5%) lived in a long-term care facility. In 2014, half of all people on Medicare had incomes below $24,150 per person and savings below $63,350.

Characteristics Medicare Population