A survey of 444 state residents conducted by the Connecticut Health I-Team found this is a common problem in the state. While 88.4 percent of respondents indicated they have a primary care physician, only slightly more than half said they received preventive screenings in the last two years.
Of the respondents who had not received preventive care, 59 percent said they believed these services would cost them in out-of-pocket payments, co-pays or deductibles, and 48 percent said cost concerns were a reason they did not receive such care.
The misconception regarding fees for preventive services persists in Connecticut, even though adults are now entitled to 15 preventive services — such as depression and diabetes screening, diet counseling and tobacco cessation programs — with no cost sharing. Women are entitled to 22 other preventive services, including mammograms, domestic violence screening and counseling, and osteoporosis checks for women over 60.
The survey found whites were more likely than blacks and Hispanics to receive preventive care services: 62 percent of whites compared with 58 percent of black respondents and 46 percent of Hispanic respondents. Individuals in families with higher household incomes — more than $50,000 — were more likely than those with lower household incomes to receive preventive care.
Victoria Veltri, a State Healthcare Advocate, said she was not surprised that many people believe free preventive care comes with a price tag, given the high deductibles and responsibilities for cost sharing under some plans.
“We need to do a much better job of telling people that these services are free,” Ms. Veltri said. With newly insured people, “we did a lot of marketing about pre-existing conditions. I think the prevention message got lost. What it calls for is more messaging — personalized messaging — from providers, employers, people in the community … Enrollment is not the end game; we need to move the discussion from coverage to actually getting care.”
More articles on finance:
Study: Physician concentration drives up prices
1 year post closure: How an Ohio town is managing after losing its hospital
The best- and worst-performing CFO leadership styles
