What patients think about the healthcare system

January 3, 2020

A recent study provides insight into public opinions about healthcare.

Healthcare can be both costly and confusing to the average consumer. Maestro Health, an employee health and benefits company, conducted a survey to gauge consumer opinions on navigating healthcare, price transparency, and financial strain.Here are the key findings:

Navigating the system is not easy

70 percent of respondents said the healthcare system today is not easy to navigate. Of those, 69 percent live with a chronic condition

Cost can prevent care

55 percent of respondents said they have avoided seeking healthcare or insurance because of cost.

Confusion reigns

65 percent of respondents have not fully understood their medical bills upon review, with 45 percent saying they would only spend an average of one to five minutes before making payment, despite the lack of understanding.

Payment can require sacrifice

52 percent of respondents reported making a financial sacrifice at some point, such as using savings to pay down medical debt or holding off on a planned purchase, in order to pay a medical bill.