Survey: Most Nevadans Struggled to Afford Health Care Last Year

Two-thirds of Nevadans reported a health care affordability challenge in the past year, according to a survey by Altarum, a health care research and consulting group.

Malinda Southard, executive director of the Nevada Patient Protection Commission (PPC), said the poll shows health care is too pricey for certain Nevadans.

Nevada is one of six states participating in the Peterson Milbank Program for Sustainable Health Care Costs to enhance health outcomes.

This allowed the state to participate in Altarum’s poll on resident care costs.

The survey questioned more than 1,100 Nevada individuals this summer and underscores their concerns about financing prescription drugs, hospital visits, and medical and dental care.

Over half of respondents reported being somewhat or extremely worried about affording prescription drugs, and a third have not filled a prescription, cut tablets in half, or skipped a dose owing to cost.

Prescription drug expenses worried 65% of those making less than $50,000 and 60% of those making between $75,000 and $100,000.

Nevada debuted ArrayRx, a free discount prescription medication card, Thursday.

65% of respondents experienced health care affordability problems in the past 12 months, including forgoing health insurance because it was too expensive, delaying medical visits, and struggling to pay medical bills.

Nearly half (48%) of poll respondents said they couldn’t predict the cost of a medical procedure.

Nine out of 10 respondents support hospitals and doctors providing upfront charges to consumers and standardizing hospital payment on certain treatments. 85% approve of creating an independent agency to review doctor and hospital quality, such as bedside manner and patient outcomes.

Credits: Nevada Current

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