Half Of U.S. Adults Skipping Healthcare During Pandemic
by Bruce Japsen
Almost half of American adults say they or someone in their home have “postponed or skipped medical care due to the coronavirus outbreak,” according to the latest poll by the Kaiser Family Foundation.
As Americans abide by “stay-at-home” orders and hospitals and other health facilities postpone elective procedures, the Kaiser survey sheds light on a change in the desire to access healthcare. Some worry delaying these procedures and avoiding primary care could lead to more serious illness and higher healthcare costs in the future.
Still, the good news is that most Americans plan to obtain healthcare once stay-at-home restrictions ease, the Kaiser analysis says. The survey said 68% of those who delayed care expect to “get the delayed care in the next three months.”
“Most of those who have put off care due to coronavirus expect to get it soon,” said Kaiser Family Foundation president and chief executive Drew Altman. “If they do, health care utilization may bounce back more quickly than the rest of the economy.”
Health insurance companies including Anthem, the Aetna unit of CVS Health, Cigna and UnitedHealth Group reported a boost in first quarter profits in part because medical expenses were down as elective procedures were cancelled or postponed. Health insurers have, however, waived co-pays and related cost-sharing so Americans have fewer financial barriers to obtaining primary care related to the Coronavirus strain COVID-19.
Here are some other highlights of the new Kaiser poll:
* - 86% of adults say their “physical health has stayed about the same since the outbreak began.”
* - 39% of adults say “worry and stress related to coronavirus has had a negative impact on their mental health.”