Rheumatology Care in an Aging World: Global Perspectives on Payment Models and Access for Older Adults

As populations age, the number of older adults living with rheumatic diseases is rising worldwide, creating urgent challenges for equitable access to effective therapies. This article compares health care financing models to show how coverage rules, pricing policies, and administrative requirements shape access to rheumatology care, with older age often marking critical shifts in benefit design. We highlight opportunities for shared learning across countries and identify common leverage points for policy change. By applying the universal health coverage framework, we move beyond descriptive typologies to offer measurable benchmarks for timely, affordable, and equitable care for older adults globally.