Doctors See Effects of Economy, Job Loss
In Ohio, it seems everyone is hurting.
Financial hardships are forcing more people to push their personal health care to the back burner. In Ohio, doctors are seeing the effects, and even feeling some economic sting themselves.
Unemployment in Ohio hit double digits in June and is as high as 14 percent in areas like Toledo and Youngstown. A job loss can often mean a loss of health insurance as well.
A recent Ohio State Medical Association survey reveals that 90 percent of doctors in the state are seeing more patients without insurance. And more than 70 percent report fewer patients and more cancellations, as the uninsured forego non-urgent medical care.
But missing regular check-ups and ignoring small medical problems can lead to big costs down the road. While someone may not have the money to cover their medical bills now, if a problem is left unchecked it could result in more intense and more expensive treatment later.
And whether for large or small medical bills, doctors in Ohio reported that they are getting creative with their billing. From the survey, as reported by the American Medical News, 87 percent of doctors said they have seen an increase in patients with difficulty paying their bills.
As such, many have been forced to get creative with their billing:
- 75 percent offered payment plans to patients
- 58 percent offered discounts for self-pay patients
- 55 offered charity care
- 62 percent wrote off bills uncollected
You know times are tough when even doctors are feeling the economic pain.
You may be able to get medical bill relief with Chapter 7 bankruptcy.