In addition, 73 percent of respondents said that they were confused on how the U.S. healthcare system worked, 52 percent believed that 50 percent or more of dollars spent on healthcare are wasted and 80 percent give the system a grade C or lower.
The survey arrived at five conclusions. First, healthcare consumers are able to overcome the complexities of the U.S. health system and compare service, quality and price. Second, the market is divided into six types of consumers, which Deloitte labeled as follows: Content & Compliant, Sick & Savvy, Online & Onboard, Shop & Save, Out & About and Casual & Cautious. Third, consumers will delay treatment due to cost concerns. Fourth, consumers are interested in healthy living education and resources. Fifth, consumers are willing to embrace new innovations that help enhance control of their personal healthcare.
The survey also found that 84 percent believed that the current economic situation would make it harder for them to pay their medical bills. According to the survey, 28 percent reported that they had trouble paying a medical bill in the past year.
Read about Deloitte’s 2009 Survey of Health Care Consumers (pdf).
