Survey: 44 Percent of Consumers Avoid Care Due to Cost Uncertainty

According to a May 24 press release, Portland, Ore.-based HealthSparq, a healthcare transparency and guidance company, announced findings from a survey entitled “2022 Annual Consumer Sentiment Benchmark.” The survey polled more than 1,000 people across the U.S. on their actions and beliefs on certain healthcare topics. Forty-four percent of respondents say that they avoided receiving healthcare services because they were unsure of the costs—an increase from last year when 25 percent reported they avoided care.

The release states that “The impact of healthcare costs was a key theme of the findings, including:

• Two-thirds of respondents reported being unaware of new government regulations requiring that health insurance plans must offer price transparency to their members. Despite this low awareness, 81 percent expressed support for the rule.
• Among those with a high-deductible health plan, 51 percent avoided care due to unknown costs.”

Additionally, the survey reports that more consumers said they had access to transparency tools—online tools from insurance companies—with 70 percent of respondents saying these types of tools were available with their health plan.

Other key highlights of the report include:

• Two-thirds of consumers that have transparency tools available used them within the past year
• Ninety-one percent of consumers who use transparency tools feel as if the tool helps them understand coverage
• Eighty-nine percent feel transparency tools help them make informed choices
• Eighty-one percent say transparency tools help them manage healthcare costs
• Approximately six in 10 respondents wish their health plan provided more information on provider details
• Seventy-one percent of respondents say they would prefer to schedule appointments through their health plan website

The full report can be accessed here.