What Consumers are Looking for When it Comes to Health Care Access

Everyone gets sick or will need some form of medical attention at some point in their life, however, not everyone has access to quality health care when they need it. While we are in the age of advanced medicine and medical technology, there are still many barriers between the average consumer and proper health care. Here is a breakdown of what consumers are looking for when it comes to health care:

Transportation Solutions

A study from 2019 found that one-third of Americans frequently or occasionally experience stress over their families’ transportation needs, which can lead to issues accessing proper health care. In fact, according to the American Hospital Association, 3.6 million Americans do not receive medical care due to issues with transportation, such as:

Lack of a vehicle
Long-distance travel
Costs
Poor infrastructure

Additionally, 4% of American children miss their medical appointments for that same reason. Though rideshares, public transportation, and bike lanes may improve this issue for urban and suburban communities, these solutions may not be available or helpful in rural areas.

Access for Those Who Struggle With Mobility

One in four adults live with a disability, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The most common type of disability, mobility, affects 1 in 7 adults, the CDC says. Mobility and other disabilities become even more common as people age, with the CDC reporting that 2 in 5 adults above the age of 65 are affected by disabilities. Disabilities, especially those having to do with mobility, can make getting to and from doctors’ appointments stressful and time-consuming, causing many patients to neglect necessary appointments and care.

Affordable Options for Low-Income Patients

Many low-income patients are unable to access proper healthcare or make necessary appointments due to the cost of treatment, even with insurance. According to the CDC, 8.3% of Americans failed to get needed medical care in 2019 due to costs. That translates to about 13 million patients who went without care in just one year.

Elimination of Long Wait Times

As waiting times to see a doctor have crept up over the years, it’s become increasingly difficult for patients to be seen in a timely fashion. This also leaves many patients frustrated, with reports of 60% of patients waiting 2 weeks for a PCP appointment and only 10% seeing their regular doctor the same day they need care. Emergency rooms aren’t much better, with average wait times nearing two hours. For patients dealing with an illness or urgent health concern that requires immediate attention, these wait times simply aren’t ideal.

How DispatchHealth Makes a Difference

DispatchHealth presents a solution to the issues that present barriers between patients and health care by bringing affordable, quality medical care right to your doorstep. Whether you lack transportation or struggle with mobility, we’ll be able to send our highly experienced team, which includes a physician’s assistant or nurse practitioner and a DispatchHealth medical technician, to your home. And iwhen it comes to cost, DispatchHealth is covered by most health insurance plans. Furthermore, scheduling an appointment won’t take weeks and our team of medical professionals will be at your door shortly after you call us.

For life-threatening and time-sensitive injuries and illnesses, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. DispatchHealth shouldn’t be used in a life-threatening emergency and doesn’t replace a primary care provider.