A recent report from the National Council of Aging noted that many older Americans are being hurt by the financial situation they find themselves in due to high medicare costs.

According to Census information, nearly 16 percent of Americans over the age of 65 are classified as poor individuals, the report noted. In addition, Medicare patients typically pay three times more of their budget on healthcare fees than those who do not use the government-sponsored benefits program.

"We have tested solutions that can help - increased access to benefits, employment and training assistance, better self management of health issues - but we need more systemic change from our elected leaders to help make these increased poverty numbers head back in the other direction," said Sandra Nathan, senior vice president for Economic Security at NCOA.

Those consumers who are not able to find affordable health insurance quotes may want to go online and examine the options available. There may be an alternative plan that is attractive and fits the budget the person has set out.

A recent study from The US Oncology Network showed that per-patient-per-month cancer treatment for those with Medicare cost less when procedures are carried out in the doctor's office.

The Site of Service Cost Difference for Medicare Patients Receiving Chemotherapy study noted that PPPM enabled costs to be as much as $600 less than non-physician's office treatments. Copays were also, on average, 10 percent lower in these situations. Currently, the federal government is pondering a major Medicare cut that could jeopardize these types of treatments for those without private health insurance.

"When cancer care providers shift from the community to more urban settings, this often represents an access to care challenge for patients constituted by added travel costs and lodging requirements that many patients simply cannot afford, especially those patients residing in rural communities," said Nancy Davenport-Ennis, founder and chief executive officer of the National Patient Advocate Foundation.

It may be a good plan for those who are getting cancer treatment to make sure that their health insurance plan is sufficient. If not, shopping around for alternative coverage may not be a bad idea.

A recent announcement from Republican Senator from Nebraska Ben Nelson, noted his intent to keep Medicare as well-funded as possible.

He made the announcement in a press release after visiting a nursing home in his home state, which made him comment on the special needs of retired individuals who are looking for affordable health insurance.

Nelson was hopeful that the current state of Medicare can be improved, due to its widespread use across the United States. He noted his intention to lead reform that will not only make the plan more widespread, but more affordable. The Medicare Secondary Payer Program may be able to be made cheaper, as it is being coupled with the SMART Act. There is hope that this will lower costs for taxpayers, while still allowing for efficient, top-level healthcare for senior citizens.

Consumers who are interested in obtaining health insurance, but don't think they will be approved for Medicare may want to obtain affordable health insurance quotes and compare rates. This could help find a plan form-fit to a person's needs at the lowest cost.

A recent report from the National Committee for Quality Assurance named HealthPlus the number one Medicare plan in the State of Michigan, as well as the 21st in the United States.

The organization's Health Insurance Plan Rankings also awarded the HMO-POS plan with a rating of "Excellent." This is not the only notoriety that HealthPlus has recently earned. The Medicare and You handbook gave the plan five stars out of a possible five, while Medicare.gov listed the insurance policy with a 4.5 out of five rating.

"We recognize that, when it comes to choosing a Medicare plan, quality ratings are one of the most important factors causing members to stay with a plan or to switch to a new one," said Bruce Hill, president and chief executive officer for HealthPlus.

Consumers who need affordable health insurance, but do not qualify for Medicare programs such as these, may want to examine other private options. There are many plans available, and it may be best to compare rates before making a decision.

A recent announcement from the American Association of Retired Persons revealed that a significant amount of its base will be traveling to the East Coast to visit members of the federal government and plead that cuts are not made to Medicare.

Medicare, the government-funded health insurance plan typically used by seniors, may lose some funding, which could potentially make health insurance for seniors more expensive, while limiting their ability to seek out a doctor. Social Security is also at risk of facing cuts, which could damage seniors' ability to pay for services or bills.

"Seniors have spent their lives working for their Medicare and Social Security benefits and they should not be just another line-item in the budget," said David Mitchell, AARP Arizona state director. "Congress instead should be looking at closing tax loopholes and cutting waste as ways to cut our federal budget."

Consumers who are concerned about this may want to look at other healthcare options that are available, as not every private plan is expensive. Examining health insurance rates could help a consumer find something that is both affordable and useful.