CirrusMD’s Post

Healthcare affordability in the U.S. has plummeted, with only 55% of adults able to access and afford care, the lowest since tracking began in 2021 according to a new Healthcare Affordability report from Gallup. https://lnkd.in/gmVFAJYE #HealthcareAffordability #HealthcareCosts #AccessToCare

More Americans are feeling the pinch when it comes to affording healthcare. Rising costs and economic challenges have made accessing quality care more difficult since 2022. Many families are faced with tough decisions—putting off care, skipping prescriptions, or juggling bills just to make ends meet. We need solutions that prioritize people’s health and ensure everyone can access the care they need without breaking the bank. 💡💙 Let’s push for changes that make healthcare affordable and accessible to all. #HealthcareForAll #AffordableCare #HealthMatters #HealthcareCrisis

The latest Healthcare Affordability Index released by West Health and Gallup reveals alarming trends in U.S. healthcare affordability. The report finds that only 55% of adults can easily access and pay for quality care when needed, underscoring the growing challenges faced by patients and providers alike. Moreover, the index highlights significant racial disparities in affordability, further emphasizing the urgent need for action. Impact on Patients and Providers • Patients who can't afford care often delay treatment, leading to more severe health problems and increased costs • Struggling to pay medical bills causes higher bad debt and revenue cycle challenges for providers Addressing the Problem • Invest in technology to streamline processes, reduce costs, and provide clear financial information and payment options • Support policies and reimbursement models that emphasize value and access The West Health-Gallup Index serves as a call to action, reminding us of the urgent need for collaboration and innovation to make healthcare more affordable and accessible for all. As an industry, we must reaffirm our commitment to this goal and work together to find practical, effective solutions. Together, we can improve lives by ensuring that high-quality care is within reach for everyone. https://lnkd.in/gmVFAJYE

Affording healthcare has become increasingly difficult for many Americans since 2022, as highlighted in this article. Rising costs are putting a strain on individuals and employers alike. At LaaSy Health, we are dedicated to providing innovative solutions that make healthcare more affordable and accessible for everyone. Read more about the current challenges and how businesses can respond. https://lnkd.in/gmVFAJYE #Healthcare #Affordability #HealthcareCosts

How secure are Americans in affording healthcare costs before they reach Medicare? According to Gallup, the percentage of cost-secure adults aged 50 to 64 and 65 and older has dropped eight points since 2022, to 55% and 71%, respectively. For younger adults, the percentage of those feeling cost-secure decreased from 52% to 47%. The data was gathered through questions focused on care avoidance, skipped treatments, and the affordability of quality healthcare today. These statistics shed light on the challenges many Americans face in accessing and affording healthcare. #healthinsurance #healthcare #ACA #Medicare #CMS #HHS

Nearly half of Americans struggle to afford and access healthcare according to a recent Gallup poll—and that number is growing. In just two years, the number of people who feel they are able to access affordable care when they need it has dropped by 6 percentage points. And it’s not limited to any one age group. Across the board more people are avoiding care and skipping treatments because they are unable to pay for them. At CareHive we understand that patients need help accessing affordable, quality care. It’s why we built our Site of Care Solution to help our members navigate the complicated healthcare system.  Better healthcare outcomes and better financial outcomes are our passion. #SiteofCareSolution #HealthcareCosts #CareHive

A few things to note in this latest West Health & Gallup U.S. healthcare affordability poll: 1. The percentage of U.S. adults readily able to access and afford quality healthcare when they need it has dropped six percentage points since 2022 to 55%. 2. That's the lowest percentage since they began conducting this poll in 2021. 3. About 45% of people identified as either "cost insecure" or "cost desperate." What does those phrases mean> Cost insecure: Persons reporting recent occurrences of being unable to pay for care or medicine or lacking easy access. Cost desperate: Persons reporting recent occurrences of being unable to pay for care and prescribed medicine and saying they would not have access to affordable quality care if needed today. And this is the stark reality of what we are facing as revenue professionals in healthcare: Those categorized as cost desperate are: ❎ at least 10 times more likely to have cut back on utilities and food to pay for needed care in the past 12 months. ❎ seven times more likely to have had a family member or friend die in the past 12 months after not receiving needed treatment due to an inability to pay for it. ❎ 21 times more likely to be “extremely concerned” that their household will be unable to pay for needed prescription drugs in the next 12 months. ❎ 29 times more likely to be “extremely concerned” that their household will be unable to pay for needed healthcare services in the next 12 months. Healthcare affordability isn't just a revenue issue for hospitals and health systems, it's a matter of life and death for many people living in the U.S. https://hubs.la/Q02JFc0H0

"The percentage of U.S. adults readily able to access and afford quality healthcare when they need it has dropped six percentage points since 2022 to 55%, the lowest since West Health and Gallup began tracking healthcare affordability in 2021. Although adults aged 50 and older are more likely than those younger than 50 to be “cost secure” -- meaning they have had no recent problems affording care or medicine and can easily access care -- their scores have fallen faster and further over the past two years. The percentages of cost secure adults aged 50 to 64 and 65 and older have both dropped eight points since 2022, to 55% and 71%, respectively. At the same time, the percentage of younger adults has slipped five points, from 52% to 47%." Also a PWC report released this week has stated the healthcare costs will increase between 7% and 8% next year. As a result the 45% of Americans that cannot afford healthcare will increase. Consumers, employers/employees and healthcare providers must partner to lower the cost of healthcare while providing many financial benefits to the healthcare providers. The answer please join our developing e-medical marketplace that can change healthcare in a positive way. #healthcarecosts #healthcareinflation #employerhealthcarecosts #affordablehealthcare #costofhealthcare https://lnkd.in/eTyGeDAU

The latest Gallup-West Health Affordability indices reports are out, shedding light on Americans' perceptions of healthcare affordability and value since 2021. Here are some key takeaways - but check out the whole report here: https://hubs.ly/Q02LKczQ0 🏥 Cost Secure: The percentage of Americans classified as Cost Secure (no recent occurrences of being unable to afford care or prescription medicine) has decreased to 55% since 2022, with a significant drop among those aged 65 and older. A record low point for cost security across all age groups. 💡 High Perceived Value: Only 6% of Americans fall into the High Perceived Value category - meaning they report that their last healthcare visit was worth the cost and they believe they are paying the right amount for the quality of care they receive. #HealthcareAffordability #HealthcareValue #HealthcareCosts

A recent article from Newsweek reveals a stark reality: the U.S. healthcare system remains unaffordable for many Americans. Rising costs and limited access are forcing individuals to make difficult choices between essential healthcare and other basic needs. As we continue to navigate these challenges, it's crucial to explore solutions that not only reduce costs but also enhance the quality of care. At Apex Nexus Group, we are committed to helping businesses provide better benefits while reducing expenses. Our innovative programs are designed to alleviate some of these financial pressures, ensuring employees receive the care they need without the heavy burden of unaffordable healthcare. Read more about this pressing issue in Newsweek: U.S. Healthcare Is Still Unaffordable for many Americans. #HealthcareCosts #HealthcareReform #EmployeeBenefits #CostSaving #AffordableHealthcare #BusinessSolutions #HealthInsurance #EmployeeWellbeing #HealthcareAccess #InnovativeBenefits #everyone https://lnkd.in/gUJAfUZt