We are all familiar with the terms insured and uninsured. However, perhaps the fastest growing group in America might be termed the “underinsured”. A combination of factors are occurring to drive up costs significantly for even those who can afford and find coverage. Higher deductibles, higher co-pays, more policy limitations and exclusions are all combining to increase out of pocket costs dramatically. This fact, along with others, speaks volumes to the need for major health insurance reform. We need open access to health insurance with no pre-existing condition exclusions, a base of benefits mandated that cannot be altered to fit the return on investment calculations of chief financial officers at major health insurers, and a guarantee of coverage by outlawing cancellation of policies due to illness or injury . . . jomaxx
More Americans Delay Health Care
Cost Concerns Drive Even the Insured To Forgo Treatment
An increasing array of Americans, many with health insurance, are delaying or forgoing medical care because of concern about cost, according to a report from the Center for Studying Health System Change. In 2007, investigators surveyed 18,000 people, and found 20% of respondents had put off, or gone without, needed medical treatment at some point in the year earlier, up from 14% in a 2003 survey. Among respondents who said they had scrimped, 69% cited cost. The report’s lead author Peter Cunningham, said, “‘As healthcare costs increase, more of those costs are shifting to people and families,’ often in the form of large deductibles or other requirements that patients pay for…out of their own pockets.” Other healthcare experts urged policymakers to “address a variety of issues to make the health system more affordable.”
. . . link to full article @ http://online.wsj.com/article/SB121444668564805959.html.html
Costs forcing many Americans to delay or decline medical care…
This fact, along with others, speaks volumes to the need for major health insurance reform. We need open access to health insurance with no pre-existing condition exclusions, a base of benefits mandated that cannot be altered to fit the ……
Americans that are delaying medical treatment becuase of high cost should consider medical tourism as a vialbe option. This emerging trend is enabling thousands of people to travel overseas to receive procedures at a fraction of this cost in the US at hospitls that are even accredited by the Joint Commission. MedRetreat, a US-based medical tourism facilitation company offers over 190 different procedures in 10 destinations.
Brent,
Thanks for a great post on a this topic and your timely spin on it. Medical Tourism, is great, and I am all for it, but it only really helps those with means or who have means and already have health insurance. The key is getting all access to health insurance. Once that is accomplished, then choice is a natural outflow of our free market system. As a patient I want choice, but I need coverage first. Ancillary out of pocket costs will be factored into any decision a patient will make regarding leaving the US for medical or surgical care. We must always keep in mind that cheaper may be just as good, but it is rarely better.