Fierce Healthcare October 9, 2020
Despite having access to health insurance, many Americans avoid seeking medical care. Further, lack of participation often is worse among people experiencing behavioral health issues such as anxiety and depression, both of which are significantly on the rise amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
For the U.S. healthcare system, the health plans that cover these members, and individuals, the consequences of not participating in care can be dire. For individuals and their families, foregoing needed care may result in late detection or treatment of disease, reduced survival, increased costs, and potentially preventable human suffering.
For health plans, members’ lack of engagement can lead to untreated chronic conditions growing worse over time, potentially adding between $100 billion to $140 billion dollars in...