1 in 5 U.S. households postpone healthcare due to cost

A study conducted by the Healthcare business of Thomson Reuters shows 1 in 5 U.S. households postpone healthcare primarily due to cost. More than 12,000 households were surveyed and the results were analyzed over a three-year period to show trends in healthcare utilization.

The results of the study show:

• Patients postpone care due to cost. Of those responding to the survey in 2009, 24.1 percent cited cost as the main reason for delaying or canceling care. In 2006 the primary reason given for delaying or canceling care was lack of time.


• The majority of postponed services are physician visits (54.7 percent), imaging (8 percent), elective procedures (6.3 percent), and lab or diagnostic tests (5.7 percent).


• More people are uninsured. Only 54.6 percent of those surveyed were covered by employer sponsored insurance in early 2009 compared to 59 percent in early 2008. The number of people covered by Medicaid increased from 11.9 percent to 14.5 percent during the same period.

According to Gary Pickens, chief research officer for the Healthcare business of Thomson Reuters and lead author of the study, "We are seeing a positive correlation between Americans losing their access to employer-sponsored health insurance and deferral of healthcare." He added, "If this trend continues, it will ultimately have an impact on our collective well-being."

If cost is preventing you from seeing your physician, discuss a payment plan or discount; doctors may be flexible. Discount doctor plans may also be an option to some delaying needed healthcare.


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