COVID-19 Has Sparked More Concerns About Healthcare Costs, Insurance, TransUnion Says

TransUnion Healthcare's annual patient survey found the COVID-19 pandemic and its economic impact have raised anxiety about healthcare and insurance affordability, reports Healthcare Dive . Generally, this anxiety is more pronounced as patients skew younger. Thirty percent of baby boomers said the current economic situation is shaping how they shop for healthcare services, and 36 percent said they are selecting their insurance providers based on cost. "Due to the pandemic, larger percentages of younger generations deferred non-essential care and had their insurance coverage impacted," noted TransUnion Healthcare Principal Jonathan Wiik. "At the same time, the industry has reported only modest shifts in payer mix despite the economic and financial impacting these individuals, going against expectations and signifying a gap in coverage."