| What have you done to help reduce your medical costs? |
| Switched to generic prescriptions |
50% |
| Not gone to a doctor when you should have |
25% |
| Asked doctor about lower-cost treatment options |
23% |
| Delayed recommended treatment |
18% |
| Decided against recommended treatment |
17% |
| Took medications less often than prescribed |
17% |
| Delayed elective procedures |
16% |
| Not filled prescriptions |
16% |
| Switched to a health plan with higher deductibles or co-pays |
13% |
| Dropped health coverage entirely |
7% |
| Done something else |
3% |
| None of the above |
29% |
Three-quarters of patients in a recent survey say they are reducing what they spend on medical care.
New York-based Opinion Research Corp. surveyed 1,001 adults about how the economy had affected their health care decisions in the past year. Though 85% reported seeing a doctor in the last year, nearly 75% had taken steps to cut medical costs.
Note: Respondents could choose more than one option. Source: Opinion Research Corporation
Quick View snapshots are assembled by members of our staff.
The print version of this content appeared in the July 6, 2009 issue of American Medical News.
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Copyright 2009 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.
