Healthcare expenses are becoming burdens for a large portion of older Americans, according to a report from the Employee Benefit Research Institute.

The survey noted that 21.5 percent of households with Americans over the age of 50 have been forced to alter their prescription drug options due to cost. In addition, nearly 20 percent reported avoiding the doctor when they have needed to go.

"We know that consumption tends to fall with age, but it's difficult to measure whether falling consumption is voluntary," said Sudipto Banerjee of EBRI, author of the study. "However, we found evidence that a significant segment of the older population may be making spending adjustments to their health care in order to save money."

More than 27 percent of older Americans noted they have experienced trouble with their ability to make bill payments, due to their healthcare costs, the survey noted. Another 30 percent of older consumers who have struggling health needed to change their prescription drug habits.

Older Americans who are struggling with health insurance payments may be better served by a plan with a lower deductible. Comparing affordable health insurance rates may help save money, especially with rising costs elsewhere.

While Medicaid is expected to expand when healthcare reform ramps up in 2014, the plan could receive a significant amount of state cuts in the interim that will affect both patients and industry members, according to The Associated Press.

The program costs $427 billion annually, and is funded at both federal and state levels. That number was due to be cut by a congressional committee this year, but the group was unable to come to a compromise on how to trim it, the news source noted. Some of the eventual cuts coming could be drastic and may have legal ramifications.

"Everybody understands that doctors are basically small business people, and we have to meet our cost plus make a living." Dr. Douglas Tolley, the head of a California practice, told the news source. "Just meeting our cost doesn't mean staying in business."

For those concerned about the future of public healthcare and its availability, it may be a good idea to explore private options. There could be many health insurance options with low rates that are attractive alternatives to public plans.

A recent poll found that a large percentage of those involved in the healthcare industry are on the fence about whether or not their workplace will be involved in the Medicare ACO program.

In total, 57 percent of industry members were unsure if they would be involved in the program, which is also known as the Medicare Shared Services Program, according to the poll by KPMG.

"Our survey findings indicate that healthcare leaders are still trying to get their hands around the opportunity and the risks associated with these programs," said Ed Giniat, partner and sector leader for KPMG Healthcare and Pharmaceuticals. "Clearly, the priority for executives is to rapidly increase their knowledge about payment model reform and to accelerate their organizations' movement toward new business models." 

If a certain Medicare program is not available to you, it may be a good plan to look at private health insurance plans. Not all of these are expensive, and there may be affordable health insurance rates attached to plans that fit a consumer's needs.

A recent report from the National Association of Free Clinics recently warned consumers without health insurance of the risks they take by not having a plan.

Pharmaceutical company Sanofi recently said that it will stop giving free clinics medicine, which could affect many consumers, the report noted. The company distributes Lantus, which is a form of insulin, as well as Lovenox, a blood thinner. The cost of Lovenox is $4,000 a month, while Lantus is more than $350 per month.

"The company's sudden shift in limiting pharmaceutical access for those who can not afford their medication came as a huge surprise to us," said Nicole Lamoureux, executive director of the National Association of Free Clinics. "At sites across the country, over $10 million worth of Sanofi medications were administered in the last year to our patients."

For those who are uninsured, the best choice may be to compare affordable health insurance quotes, as there are many available for consumers of multiple income levels. It could avoid a potentially bad situation for those losing access to their prescribed medications.

A recent release from LTC Financial Partners noted that consumers should speak to their elderly relatives about their plans for long-term care, and the holidays may be the perfect opportunity to bring it up.

Health insurance is a big part of the conversation, as a consumer needs to determine if a government-sponsored plan is a good plan, the release said. In addition, for those not looking for a public plan, it may be a good idea to search for affordable health insurance quotes.

"Why not make every Thanksgiving, from here on, a little more hopeful - by attacking the long-term care threat now?" said Denise Gott, national sales manager and chairman of the board of LTC Financial Partners. "Consider all the thinking and discussing you do just to plan for the turkey dinner and getting together. Why not make time for a side conversation on long-term care - an issue vital to everyone's future happiness?"

It may be wise for a family to determine where the person will live when receiving long-term care, the release added. This is especially true if another family member needs to adjust their own housing situation.