HealthDay Reports: Costs Would Keep 1 in 7 Americans From Seeking COVID-19 Treatment
A new poll from West Health and Gallup found that worry over the medical bills associated with COVID-19 would prevent 1 in 7 Americans from seeking treatment for the coronavirus if they had suspected symptoms.
Costs Would Keep 1 in 7 Americans From Seeking COVID-19 Treatment
TUESDAY, April 28, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- Worries over medical bills would prevent 1 in 7 Americans from seeking treatment if they had possible symptoms of COVID-19, a new poll finds.
Of more than 1,000 adults surveyed, 6% -- representing 15 million Americans -- said that during the coronavirus pandemic, they or a family member had been denied care for another health problem.
Asked if they would seek medical attention for a fever and dry cough -- telltale signs of COVID-19 -- 14% said they would not because of cost, according to the results from the nonprofit West Health and Gallup.
Even if they suspected they were infected, 9% said they wouldn't seek treatment -- a finding that suggests insurance coverage shortfalls, lack of money, or poor knowledge of COVID-19 symptoms, the survey sponsors said.
More than 20% of adults under age 30, nonwhites, those with a high school education or less, and those in households with annual incomes under $40,000 were most likely to not seek care for suspected COVID-19 symptoms.
"Millions of Americans, even in the face of a disease that has brought a country to its knees, would forgo care due to the potential expense and still others may not be clear on the common symptoms of COVID-19," said Tim Lash, chief strategy officer for West Health.