A Prevention Problem. Uninsured Americans Forgo Steps to Ensure Healthy Future

Transcription

1 A Prevention Problem Uninsured Americans Forgo Steps to Ensure Healthy Future

2 A Prevention Problem Uninsured Americans Forgo Steps to Ensure Healthy Future Introduction... 3 The Insured vs. the Uninsured: An Ugly Truth... 5 Prevention for the Unemployed... 8 Parents and Prevention Early Awareness for Future Generations Conclusion Creating a Healthy World...16 About Healthy World About TeleVox A Prevention Problem: Uninsured Americans Forgo Steps to Ensure Healthy Future

3 The objective of preventive care is to improve and sustain the health and well-being of patients, while reducing costs of healthcare, allowing funds to be directed to research and other patients with unpreventable needs. Preventive care may involve screening a healthy patient for cancer because it s common in his or her family. It also includes age and gender specific lifestyle adjustments, vaccinations and other measures. During this process, a physician will help the patient identify major health risk factors such as heart disease, high cholesterol and diabetes and work with the patient to either bring these conditions under control or to stop them from forming. A Prevention Problem: Uninsured Americans Forgo Steps to Ensure Healthy Future 3

4 While the use of preventive care may seem to be the obvious choice for U.S. health consumers, the problem arises in the fact that many Americans are not taking advantage of this vital aspect of the wellness process. Many opt to wait until a condition becomes a major problem, resulting in higher expenses for urgent treatment of a disease or condition that may have been prevented with screenings or lifestyle adjustments recommended during a preventive care visit. U.S. healthcare spending is expected to surpass $3 trillion in 2014, according to the Department of Health and Human Services. This is due in no small part to many healthcare consumers forgoing preventive care and thus being at risk for needing an emergency room trip when a major health problem presents itself or can no longer be ignored. And this ER visit comes at a high price. According to the Department of Health and Human Services, the average ER visit costs $1,300 drastically more expensive than a preventive care visit that is likely free for the insured and significantly less expensive than an ER visit for the uninsured. As healthcare costs continue to rise, it becomes increasingly important for doctors to engage their patients through education to help them understand the importance of both preventive care and healthy lifestyle choices. 4 A Prevention Problem: Uninsured Americans Forgo Steps to Ensure Healthy Future

5 The Insured vs. The Uninsured: An Ugly Truth According to A Prevention Problem: Uninsured Americans Forgo Steps to Ensure Healthy Future, nearly one in four adults in the U.S. are currently without health insurance (24 percent), and only 33 percent of those without insurance have been able to visit their primary care physician in the past two years, compared with the 71 percent of the insured who ve made a doctor s visit in that same period of time. The majority of the adults surveyed 72 percent of those with insurance and 52 percent of those without indicated that these visits are 24% Adults in the U.S. who are currently without health insurance. routine check-ups. Knowing that check-ups can serve to provide a foundation for prevention and early diagnosis, it s concerning that uninsured Americans aren t taking advantage of these visits as much as those with insurance. And with the rising costs of healthcare, this trend will likely get worse. Less awareness, education and use of preventive care services may cause an existing condition to become chronic or lead to the development of a disease that could have otherwise been avoided. Hospital admissions, ER visits and other expensive lastminute measures are commonly taken in cases where an uninsured person s condition has become so severe that they must seek immediate care. This all-too-familiar method of receiving treatment is part of the causation for rising healthcare costs nationwide, as an average of only 48 percent of the previously-mentioned average ER visit cost of $1,300 is covered by insurance. Instead of waiting until a problem occurs and then treating the condition, it is essential to engage patients, regardless of the status of their current health, in their own preventive care, encouraging them to take the necessary steps to prevent problems from occurring or at the very least detect them in their early stages. Doing so will allow doctors to improve the overall health of their patients while decreasing medical expenses. A Prevention Problem found that less than 1 in 5 uninsured adults consider themselves to be extremely healthy, and almost half of the adults surveyed admitted they are currently treating a disease or chronic illness such as high blood pressure, a heart problem, diabetes or cancer that could have been avoided or reduced in severity with the proper preventive measures. Unfortunately, many still aren t sure what even constitutes prevention, and the study found that those without insurance were less likely to be knowledgeable about preventive care 33 percent of those without insurance were unsure what prevention includes, compared to A Prevention Problem: Uninsured Americans Forgo Steps to Ensure Healthy Future 5

6 only 16 percent of the insured group. Despite this lack of complete understanding of prevention, A Prevention Problem showed that most adults feel that some form of prevention is important, and 91 percent of those without insurance agreed. Eighty-one percent of those without insurance also said that taking proper preventive care measures saves patients money and believe it is less expensive to prevent a serious condition or disease than it is to treat it. Unfortunately, this belief in the importance of prevention isn t translating into preventive action among the uninsured. Seventeen percent of those without insurance gave themselves an F grade when it comes to receiving preventive measures that have been recommended. The lack of nutrition, prevention, and overall wellness education for those who are uninsured is taking its toll. According to A Prevention Problem, those with insurance exercise more routinely, or at least three times a week (52 percent), than those without insurance (38 percent). The study also found that those with insurance are more likely to have improved their eating habits in the past two years (56 percent) than those without insurance (41 percent). Less than half of those without insurance are taking vitamins or supplements regularly (46 percent), compared with the 69 percent of those with insurance who take vitamins. Adopting healthy habits isn t the only thing uninsured patients do less of compared to those with insurance. Sixty-eight percent of them have never been screened for cancer. In fact, A Doctors can leverage technology to communicate the importance of preventive care and healthy lifestyle choices to their patients, regardless of whether they are employed or have insurance. Prevention Problem found that only 16 percent of those without insurance give themselves an A grade for their efforts to ensure preventive care for themselves, and more than half said the reason they don t seek preventive care is because they don t have health insurance (52 percent). A key issue contributing to underutilization of preventive care among the uninsured is that of cost. Though A Prevention Problem found that most uninsured have visited some kind of healthcare professional in the past two years (59 percent) and said that a doctor s recommendation is the main reason for seeking preventive care (33 percent), most agreed that out-of-pocket cost is the primary deciding factor when considering undergoing preventive measures. According to the study, 8 percent of those without insurance admitted that they currently have a condition they are not treating, and only 28 percent of those without insurance, compared to the 42 percent with insurance, are able to see a healthcare professional to treat their existing diseases. Moreover, only 31 percent of those without insurance are taking prescribed medications, significantly less than the 58 percent of insured respondents that indicated they were currently taking a prescription. A lack of insurance is many times caused by unemployment and may be unavoidable. However, this does not mean that preventive care and information regarding a healthy lifestyle are out of reach for those without insurance or the unemployed. Because, for some, 6 A Prevention Problem: Uninsured Americans Forgo Steps to Ensure Healthy Future

7 coverage is not attainable, these people must draw on other advantages of our era, such as high-tech advances in new media. Prevention awareness via mobile phone, and voic can provide an easier pathway for those who are looking for healthcare or prevention answers, but may not have the coverage to receive them face to face. There are currently government cell phone programs in place for those who are financially disadvantaged, and many libraries offer Internet usage to those in need. Though taking care of one s own health when uninsured may seem impossible, with high-tech communication it becomes, virtually, possible. Furthermore, doctors can leverage this technology to communicate the importance of preventive care and healthy lifestyle choices to their patients, regardless of whether they are employed or have insurance or not. For each of the following purposes, please select which type of communication you would prefer to receive from a healthcare professional. Exercise at least 3 times a week 38% 52% Improved eating habits in past two years 41% 56% Taking vitamins or supplements regularly 46% 69% Able to seek a healthcare professional to treat existing diseases 28% 42% Taking prescribed medications 31% 58% Uninsured Insured A Prevention Problem: Uninsured Americans Forgo Steps to Ensure Healthy Future 7

8 Prevention for the Unemployed As the economy continues to recover, many are left unemployed and perhaps uninsured, having relied on their employers to supply coverage. When a person is unemployed, their health often takes a back seat to priorities such as paying for housing, food and utilities. During this time, a condition they currently have may worsen, or they may develop a disease that could have been prevented with regular medical checkups. Given how expensive an emergency room visit can be and how little expendable income they are likely to have, the unemployed should be among those most interested in controlling their healthcare expenses. However, this does not appear to be the case. A Prevention Problem: Uninsured Americans Forgo Steps to Ensure Healthy Future found that though 75 percent of those without jobs are receiving some sort of health benefits, 15 percent of the unemployed are completely uninsured, and more unemployed adults are on Medicaid (17 percent) than those who are employed (10 percent). In addition, only 20 percent of those without jobs reported having optical insurance, and only 31 percent reported having dental insurance. Specific healthcare steps, such as optical and dental check-ups, are essential variables in the entirety of the preventive process because these check-ups can uncover early warning signs of serious conditions. Though A Prevention Problem found that 96 percent of those who are unemployed feel that preventive care is important, 22 percent are still unsure what prevention 15% are completely insured. actually includes. Cost is also a major concern for those without work, with 72 percent of unemployed adults agreeing that out-of-pocket cost is the primary reason they decide whether or not to seek preventive care. With that, another 18 percent said they don t receive preventive measures because they don t have insurance. Despite these findings, the study also showed that 90 percent of those who are unemployed agreed that taking proper preventive care measures saves patients money and think it is less expensive to prevent a serious condition or disease than it is to treat it. Still, twice as many people who are unemployed have a condition they are currently not treating (7 percent) than those who are employed, and 48 percent without work have never been screened for cancer. Of the unemployed: 20% have optical insurance. 31% have dental insurance. 8 A Prevention Problem: Uninsured Americans Forgo Steps to Ensure Healthy Future

9 According to A Prevention Problem, many unemployed adults said that a doctor s recommendation is the main reason for seeking prevention, and 83 percent reported a visit to a healthcare professional of some kind in the past two years. Yet, only 26 percent of those without work give themselves an A grade for their efforts to ensure preventive care for themselves. The study also found that, overall, the lifestyle habits of those who are unemployed are less healthy than those with jobs. Employed adults are more likely than unemployed to exercise routinely, or at least three times a week those employed at 54 percent and those unemployed at 44 percent. A Prevention Problem also showed that more unemployed than employed adults admitted they are currently treating a disease or chronic illness, such as high blood pressure, a heart problem, diabetes or cancer, and unfortunately, only 17 percent of adults who are currently without work consider themselves to be extremely healthy. Though unemployment has damaging effects on anyone afflicted, those who are the breadwinners of the family tend to get hit the hardest, as they may lose insurance for not only themselves but also their families. Unemployed caretakers of loved ones tend to put their own health aside to focus on others, putting them at risk for developing preventable conditions or becoming chronically ill. Arguably, these caretakers are the most important members of our society for doctors to engage regarding the importance of preventive care as they are the ones making decisions not just for themselves but also for others, whether it be a child, spouse, or aging parent. A Prevention Problem: Uninsured Americans Forgo Steps to Ensure Healthy Future 9

10 Parents and Prevention It s hard being a parent. Between work and family activities, many moms and dads let their own health suffer and put preventive care at the bottoms of their to-do lists. Though 96 percent of the parents surveyed for A Prevention Problem: Uninsured Americans Forgo Steps to Ensure Healthy Future said they feel preventive care is important for themselves, and another 97 percent said they feel prevention is important for their children, many agreed that out-of-pocket cost is the primary deciding factor when choosing whether to seek out preventive measures. And though A Prevention Problem found that 94 percent of parents agreed that taking proper preventive care measures saves patients money and think it is less expensive to prevent a serious condition or disease than it is to treat it, over half (51 percent) have never been screened for cancer. This lack of prevention awareness among parents is leading to an increased amount of sickness, which can add to the already-stressful life of a parent. According to the A Prevention Problem, 40 percent of parents in the U.S. admitted they are currently treating a disease or chronic illness, such as high blood pressure, a heart problem, diabetes or cancer. Forty-six percent are taking prescribed medication on a daily basis, and only 18 percent of the parents surveyed consider themselves extremely healthy. Some parents surveyed said that unfortunately, the reason they don t pursue prevention is because they don t have health insurance (16 percent), and sadly 47 percent of parents admitted they just can t afford it. A Prevention Problem found that though many parents have some form of health insurance (81 percent), or are on Medicaid (21 percent), and have visited a healthcare professional of some kind in the last two years, 28 percent still aren t knowledgeable about what their health insurance policy covers in terms of preventive care. And though 53 percent of the parents surveyed said that a doctor s recommendation is their main reason for seeking preventive care, and another 54 percent said they want to practice preventive care because they want to be as healthy as possible, 18 percent said they still aren t sure what prevention includes. Only 20 percent of parents in the U.S. give themselves an A grade for their efforts to ensure preventive care for themselves, and 34 percent are currently visiting a healthcare professional to treat an existing condition or disease. Within a parent s busy schedule, taking preventive care steps, such as consistently hitting the gym and eating healthy, may seem unrealistic. Wellness efforts become more of a treat than a way of life, as according to A Prevention Problem, less than half of all parents surveyed (48 percent) said they ve been able to exercise routinely, 10 A Prevention Problem: Uninsured Americans Forgo Steps to Ensure Healthy Future

11 Parents & Preventive Care or at least three times a week. When parents continue to make unhealthy lifestyle choices for themselves, they set examples for their children. If eating healthy and preventive care awareness are not top priorities of parents, they will likely not be for their children as well, which will affect these children s ability to lead healthy lives once they become adults. Providing a foundation for a healthy lifestyle and educating children in the U.S. about the benefits of early detection and prevention will dramatically improve the health of our future and could save millions of lives. 97% feel it s important for their children. 94% agree it saves patients money. 96% feel it s important for themselves. 47% can t afford health insurance. 49% have been screened for cancer. 40% are currently treating a disease or chronic illness. 16% don t have health insurance. 18% consider themselves healthy. A Prevention Problem: Uninsured Americans Forgo Steps to Ensure Healthy Future 11

12 Early Awareness for Future Generations Though prevention is important at every age, and in most cases becomes a higher priority as people get older, it s important for the younger generation to learn about the benefits of prevention to start to develop positive habits early and improve the overall future health of our country. A Prevention Problem: Uninsured Americans Forgo Steps to Ensure Healthy Future found that though 95 percent of Generation Y, or those roughly ages 18 24, feel that preventive care is important, only 15 percent give themselves an A grade for their efforts to ensure preventive care for themselves. And though 78 percent of Gen Yers have visited a healthcare professional of some kind in the last two years and say that a doctor s recommendation is their main reason for seeking preventive care, nearly 1 in 4 young adults said they still aren t sure what constitutes prevention. A Prevention Problem also showed that though 67 percent of Gen Yers have some form of insurance including Medicaid, they re still not knowledgeable about what their policy offers in terms of prevention coverage. And under the current healthcare mandate, knowing what is available is critical. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, The Affordable Care Act requires insurance issuers to offer coverage until a child reaches the age of 26, provided they are not offered coverage through their employer. This mandate applies to all plans in the individual market, for married or unmarried children and to new employer plans. A new addition to ACA benefits will begin in 2014, allowing those up to age 26 to remain with their parents employer plan even if offered coverage through their own employer. In addition, the ACA requires insurers to cover many preventive care measures at no expense to the insured. With this in mind, it is important for medical professionals to engage young adults to educate them about the benefits of preventive care in order to help them develop or maintain a healthy lifestyle now and in the future. According to A Prevention Problem, most Gen Yers (90 percent) agreed that taking proper preventive care measures saves patients money and believe it is less expensive to prevent a serious condition or disease than it is to treat it. Despite this, 22 percent said they haven t undergone preventive measures because they don t have health insurance, 80 percent said that out-of-pocket cost is their main deciding factor when thinking of receiving a preventive measure, and 45 percent said they simply can t afford it. This younger generation s apathy towards prevention or lack of awareness could be a possible link to their current unhealthiness. A Prevention Problem found that only 19 percent of young adults in the U.S. consider themselves extremely healthy, and 29 percent are on prescribed medication. Moreover, 25 percent of Gen Yers admitted they are currently treating a disease or 12 A Prevention Problem: Uninsured Americans Forgo Steps to Ensure Healthy Future

13 Gen Yers & Preventive Care chronic illness, such as high blood pressure, a heart problem, diabetes or cancer. A Prevention Problem found that 50 percent said they want to practice preventive care because they want to be as healthy as possible, and only 53 percent of young adults said they exercise routinely or at least three times a week. A massive 29 percent are visiting a healthcare professional to treat an existing condition, and 70 percent have never been screened for cancer. Point being we as a nation are getting sicker, less mobile and more obese. Education and awareness must be a priority among schools, parents and the media to spark interest in healthy living at a young age. The future of a healthy world begins with what parents provide for their children today and the habits they help them develop that will carry over into adulthood. 90% agree it saves patients money. 78% have visited a healthcare professional in the last two years. 67% have some form of health insurance. 67% exercise routinely. 25% are currently treating a disease or chronic illness. 15% give themselves an A average for their efforts to ensure preventative care. 95% feel it s important. 80% say out-of-pocket cost is their main factor when thinking of receiving it. 70% have never been screened for cancer. 45% say they can t afford it. 22% say lack of health insurance is why they haven t undergone it. A Prevention Problem: Uninsured Americans Forgo Steps to Ensure Healthy Future 13

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15 Whether it s a lack of insurance, employment, time or awareness, prevention is not a priority for many Americans. And as A Prevention Problem: Uninsured Americans Forgo Steps to Ensure Healthy Future shows, those who are not likely to keep up with a preventive lifestyle are at greater risk for making unhealthy choices on a daily basis, leading to worsened conditions and preventable deaths. Given that 1 in 4 adults in the U.S. are currently without health insurance, and that lack of insurance is one of the top reasons young adults, parents and the unemployed have yet to seek preventive care, greater efforts must be made by doctors to engage and educate these groups. The future health of the U.S. starts with the choices its citizens make today. A Prevention Problem: Uninsured Americans Forgo Steps to Ensure Healthy Future 15

16 Creating a Healthy World No matter your age or gender, preventive action will not only improve patient outcomes and reduce healthcare costs, but it will also improve quality of life and save lives. Patients want to be involved in their own care, but need the tools to stay educated, encouraged and motivated to follow through for their own health. Text messages, phone calls and s from physicians get patients attention while providing this desired support and involvement. Increasing patient communication efforts will require forward-thinking healthcare practitioners who understand that their continued involvement is critical to ensuring a healthy future for our patients. Many physicians understand that engaging patients between office visits can inspire them to embrace and build the habits to follow through with treatment plans. They know personalized, ongoing engagement can activate positive lifestyle changes that will help people lead healthy lives. 16 A Prevention Problem: Uninsured Americans Forgo Steps to Ensure Healthy Future

17 About Healthy World A healthy world, while global by definition, actually happens one person at a time. It is driven by forward-thinking healthcare practitioners who understand their involvement is critical to ensuring a healthy population. The Healthy World initiative, launched by TeleVox, aims at helping people young and old be healthy! Three imperatives for creating a healthy world one person at a time 1. Touch the hearts and minds of patients to drive positive behavior change. 2. Engage patients with information and encouragement between visits. 3. Activate patients to make positive behavior changes for a healthier life. The driving force behind the goal of creating a healthy world are the healthcare professionals who take the time to engage patients with personalized, thoughtful, ongoing communications that encourage and inspire them to embrace and follow ongoing treatment plans. They know every communication with a patient including those that take place between office visits is an opportunity to help that person understand the importance of good habits like nutrition, physical activity, taking their medications as prescribed and following new treatment recommendations. Engaging patients and their families between visits through proactive, relevant communications helps them to wake up and stay focused on positive behavior changes is the way to create a healthy world one patient at a time. A Prevention Problem: Uninsured Americans Forgo Steps to Ensure Healthy Future 17

18 About TeleVox TeleVox is a high-tech Engagement Communications company, providing automated voice, , text and web solutions that activate positive patient behaviors through the delivery of technology with a human touch. Since 1992, TeleVox has been creating a comprehensive approach that breaks through and motivates people to live healthy lives. At TeleVox, we understand that touching the hearts and minds of patients by engaging with them between healthcare appointments will encourage and inspire them to follow and embrace treatment plans. We know personalized, ongoing patient engagement will activate positive lifestyle changes. TeleVox helps healthcare professionals touch, engage and activate every unique patient to lead healthy lives. TeleVox. High-tech, human touch to create a healthy world one patient at a time. 18 A Prevention Problem: Uninsured Americans Forgo Steps to Ensure Healthy Future

19 Our Healthy World Initiative utilizes ethnographic research to uncover, understand and interpret the patient point-of-view when it comes to managing their health. We focus on studying how people interact with healthcare providers and how they behave between doctor visits. As part of this program, TeleVox delivers research reports that provide healthcare professionals with timely insight for helping patients make healthy changes in their lives, follow treatment plans, and take accountability for improving their personal health Montlimar Dr, Suite 700 Mobile, AL F televox.com