Americans are forced to delay some primary medical care because of high costs. The study is according to a new Federal Reserve report.
Americans are avoiding primary medical care services because of the high cost
The Primary Medical Care survey respondents had to skip some form of primary medical care in 2022 because of the high cost involved, marking a four percentage-point increase compared to the previous year.
The primary medical care services often skipped are dental care, doctor visitation, prescription medication, mental healthcare, and prescription medication.
40% of Americans are grappling with some form of primary medical care services debt, which can arise from unexpected medical emergencies and out-of-pocket costs.
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The Federal Reserve survey revealed that 23% of adults experienced unexpected primary medical care expenses in 2022
Unexpected primary medical care expenses keep getting more expensive, with Americans spending an average of $1,315 each in 2021. For those with insurance, the average deductible for each employee has surged by over 57% since 2013.
The result of the survey supported the assessment of Stahl’s. Of the primary medical care respondents with a family income below $25,000, 38% of respondents had to skip primary medical care because of financial constraints.