It Costs Too Much To Stay Healthy

This chart comes from a white paper, Integrated Healthcare Management, published by The Trizetto Group, Inc. The combination of premiums and out-of-pocket expenses per insured worker is approaching an unsustainable $1,600 a month! Note the sharp rise in heathcare premiums and out of pocket expenses paid by individuals, and the slope of the curves tracking these expenses. No wonder, as reported yesterday, individuals are engaging in unhealthy behavior because of the cost of their healthcare.

High Helath Costs Drive Unhealhty Behavior

The Kaiser Family Foundation Health Tracking Poll published past month found that 53% of Americans cut corners on their health during the past year care because of the cost involved. The chart above summarizes their actions. 

"I'm Not Leaving Without a Prescription"

Over the last 30 years, physicians have consistently reported that at least one out of every five or six patient visits was "difficult." A recent study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine only underscores that conclusion.

Difficult patient behaviors include insisting on unnecessary tests or medications, dishing out verbal abuse or disrespect, having unrealistic expectations for care and persistent complaining despite a physician's having done everything possible to assist that patient.

The most frequently-seen difficult behavior reported was patients insisting on being prescribed an unnecessary drug, a problem cited by more than one-third of responding physicians. Primary care doctors said that "difficult encounters" were most likely to occur with young female patients.