More people seek retail solutions for healthcare needs: 6 findings

Nearly 1 in 4 people avoid receiving medical care because of cost, according to a recent survey by Professional Research Consultants.

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The survey also found that 17 percent of consumers are using Walgreens, Walmart, CVS or local grocery stores to meet their healthcare needs.

The results are part of PRC’s annual National Consumer Study, which surveyed more than 1,000 households across the nation to better understand consumers’ healthcare decisions.

Here are four other findings from the survey.

  • Price shopping is a growing concern — 13 percent of consumers are shopping for prices and say cost impacts their choice of service.
  • 87 percent of respondents use the Internet to research a diagnosis or condition.
  • 34 percent of consumers get the majority of their healthcare information from friends and relatives, but the Internet is trending toward becoming consumers’ main source for healthcare information.
  • 24 percent of consumers get most of their healthcare information from the Internet. That’s up from 19 percent in 2014, 12 percent in 2012, 11 percent in 2010 and just 5 percent in 2008.

 

More articles on healthcare finance:

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US hospitals see decline in uncompensated care rates due to the declining uninsured population: 6 findings
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