Consumers cutting back on healthcare

Sep/22/2008 10:50
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Editors Note: This is from todays Wall Street Journal The number of prescriptions filled in the U.S. fell 0.5% in the first quarter and a steeper 1.97% in the second, compared with the same periods in 2007 -- the first negative quarters in at least a decade, according to data from market researcher IMS Health. Despite an aging and growing U.S. population, the number of physician office visits also has been declining since the end of 2006. Between July 2007 and 2008, the most recent month for which data are available, visits fell 1.2%, according to IMS. In a survey by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners last month,

  • 22% of 686 consumers said that economy-related woes were causing them to go to the doctor less often.
  • About 11% said they've scaled back on prescription drugs to save money.
  • Some of the areas being hit include hip and knee replacements, mammograms, and visits to the emergency room, according to a survey.

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The United States spend more per person on healthcare than any other country yet we not the world leaders in healthcare? As more and more costs are being shifted to consumers and the economy continues to struggle this article is a clear indication that when times are difficult people will cut back on healthcare. What is not mentioned in this article is that by cutting back on healthcare people could be adding additional cost to the system as conditions get worse or undiagnosed.

What I would like to see are a series of ads from America's drug industry urging people not to cut back on visits to their doctors or on taking medications. The campaign should inform people that by doing so the could be in danger of making their disease or condition a lot worse thus requiring a lot more out of pocket for treatments later in time. America's drug companies should also remind people that most pharmaceutical companies have programs for people who cannot afford their medications along with websites that have information on how people can enroll in these programs. Finally the pharma industry should reach out to payers and health providers to provide options for people who maybe struggling at this time because of the economy.

Putting off health care is a very serious issue and could further drain our healthcare system, as people put off treatments until it has become chronic, as a result. Pharma companies talk a good game about being here to provide better health for consumers now is the time to reach out and connect with those consumers. It probably won't be done though as ROI is too hard to formulate for a program of this type...

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