What You Should Know:
– Sapphire Digital survey reveals following the COVID-19 pandemic, 1 in 2 adults will change how they access care including care selection decision and cost concerns.
– Nearly half (47%) of Americans age 18-64 surveyed are more concerned about the cost of health care now than they were before COVID-19.
Nearly 1 in 2 adults (47%) will change how they access care following the COVID-19 pandemic, according to results of a survey by Sapphire Digital assessing consumer sentiment and perceptions of healthcare after COVID-19. The online survey, which was completed by 1,000 U.S. adults, was commissioned by Sapphire Digital and fielded by Dynata, a global market research firm, in April 2020.
Following recommendations from the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), many local governments are allowing health care facilities to resume elective and non-emergent procedures and many Americans are eager to set up medical appointments. The new survey findings indicate that 43% of adults have had a health care service canceled or delayed due to COVID-19, and 80% of adults plan to schedule or reschedule procedures in the next 6 months.
Consumers Will Select Healthcare Differently Post-COVID-19
As patients look to quickly get back on track with their health care journey, the survey reveals that many consumers will select care differently than they have in the past, looking for higher quality, lower cost and more accessible care options. This is further supported by the fact that nearly half (47%) of Americans age 18-64 surveyed are more concerned about the cost of health care now than they were before COVID-19.
Additionally, the survey revealed that more than 8 in 10 people would find both an online health care navigation tool and live, personalized customer support to help compare costs and schedule appointments to be helpful. These types of tools are especially important for consumers to use as elective procedures resume across the country and consumers look to identify the best provider for their health and financial needs.
Why It Matters
“At a time when Americans are anxious about their health and financial security, Sapphire Digital remains committed to helping consumers find and understand their health care options,” said Kyle Raffaniello, Chief Executive Officer of Sapphire Digital. “Americans are looking for more information to help them select care and we have solutions that enable them to find high-quality care at the best price with personalized support to ease the navigation process.”
