RWJF orchestrated a series of eight focus groups in four major U.S. cities: Chicago, Denver, Philadelphia and Charlotte, N.C. Four of the focus groups included people with employer-sponsored health insurance, two groups were comprised of people who were self-insured, one group was all Medicare beneficiaries and the final group was uninsured.
Here were some other takeaways from the RWJF’s discussions:
• Patients defined “healthcare costs” as their out-of-pocket costs, which include premiums, deductibles, co-pays and other costs taken from their paychecks.
• Participants in the focus groups said increasing healthcare costs were forcing them to cut back in other areas of their lives, such as taking fewer vacations or postponing a major purchase.
• Many participants said they want to understand what their tests and procedures cost before they agree to them. They also believed higher costs for a procedure were tied to the location of a hospital or other facility.
More Articles on Healthcare Costs:
IOM Report: Why do Americans Live Shorter, Unhealthier Lives?
Study: U.S. Could Save $5B Through Fewer C-Sections
The Net Effect of Raising Medicare’s Eligibility Age
