Preventing Medical Debt From Disrupting Health and Financial Health: A Systems-Level Overview
This report provides an issue overview of the national medical debt crisis, describing its prevalence and effects on consumers, how medical debt functions as a social determinant of health and driver of health inequities, opportunities to prevent it, and long-term strategies for impact.
Aligning financial assistance and benefits with consumer needs
Helping consumers make informed decisions
Proactively identifying consumers at risk of medical debt to target financial assistance and benefits
Drivers and Impacts of Medical Debt
While many upstream factors lead to medical debt, this report series focuses on interventions that healthcare stakeholders can implement to prevent medical debt.
Recommendations for Hospitals and Health Systems
Read about actionable strategies healthcare providers should take now to improve financial assistance and repayment programs, support informed patient decision-making, and proactively identify patients at risk for medical debt to target financial assistance.
Recommendations for Insurers
Discover opportunities insurance providers should seize now to help members navigate plan selection, understand key terminology, reduce out-of-pocket expenses, utilize preventive care, and improve administrative processes that affect customers.
Recommendations for Employers
Find out about proactive steps employers should take now to assess employee health insurance affordability, educate their workforce on insurance basics and out-of-pocket costs, help workers manage healthcare expenses, and offer plans based on employees’ needs and circumstances.
More to Explore
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Households that experienced a weather event were also more likely to face a range of unexpected housing- and health-related expenses.
Financial Strain and Health
In the United States, financial stress significantly impacts overall well-being. A staggering 40% of Americans report experiencing high stress related to money, while 76% of American households live paycheck to paycheck.
Exploring the Interconnectedness of Financial and Mental Health
Our recent Member-exclusive Executive Roundtable shared several ways organizations can support people’s financial and mental well-being.
Written by
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Michelle ProserSenior Director, Healthcare Solutions -
Manager, Healthcare Solutions
Preventing Medical Debt From Disrupting Health and Financial Health: A Systems-Level Overview
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