Health care isn't recession-proof, says survey

The troubled economy may be causing more patients to worry about health care costs and, in some cases, forgo needed care, according to the results of a recent AAFP survey of 505 family physicians.

Nearly 90 percent of the family physician respondents said more of their patients have expressed concerns recently about their ability to pay for their health care needs; 73 percent have seen an increase in uninsured patients in their practices; 58 percent have seen an increase in appointment cancellations; and 54 percent reported a drop in patient volume since January 2008.

Additionally, 73 percent of respondents said they have seen evidence of patients cutting prescription doses to save money, and 60 percent have seen more health problems caused by patients forgoing needed preventive care.

How are FPs responding? Two-thirds said they were taking steps such as discounting their fees, increasing charity care, providing free screenings and moving patients to generic prescriptions. Forty-four percent said they are having to cut, or consider cutting, services or staff.

Posted at 01:29PM May 19, 2009 by Brandi White  |  Comments[0]