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Forty percent of employees responding to a new survey from Willis Towers Watson said they deferred medical care over the past year, including 28% who delayed or canceled a medical procedure or appointment.
At the same time, 17% failed to fill at least one prescription, while 20% said their healthcare provider delayed or canceled a procedure or appointment. When asked what prompted them to defer care, 25% said they couldn’t afford it and 23% were unsure of the costs.
The survey also revealed that employees with significant difficulty paying for healthcare are more likely to suffer due to deferred care.
Overall, one-third of respondents who had care deferred, or canceled either by themselves or by a provider, said their health suffered. But among those who found it very difficult to afford care, more than half (58%) said their health suffered as a result.
“The ability to access and afford healthcare has always been a high priority for employers and employees,” said Regina Ihrke, senior director, Health and Benefits, WTW. “As organizations plan their future benefit offerings, in light of an expected increase in medical inflation, we expect most employers will prioritize affordability and continue to focus on expanded use of virtual care, including telemedicine, as an integral part of their healthcare strategy in order to provide cost-effective, high-quality care to their employees and families.”
WHAT’S THE IMPACT
If the survey results are…
