As many as one out of every 25 Medicare beneficiaries over 65 do not identify as “straight,” according to new data released by CMS.
 
June is Pride Month for the LGBTQ+ community. CMS released the data, collected in fall 2023 surveys, looking at sexual orientation among Medicare beneficiaries living in the community on June 13.
 
Among beneficiaries 65 and over living in the community:
  • 95.9% straight
  • 1.4% gay or lesbian
  • 0.4% bisexual
  • 2.1% don’t know
  • 0.2% something else
Among all Medicare beneficiaries living in the community:
  • 95.5% straight
  • 1.6% gay or lesbian
  • 0.6% bisexual
  • 2.1% don’t know
  • 0.3% something else