Survey: 44% skipped care due to costs

More than 1,000 survey respondents reported delaying or skipping medical and dental care due to cost, according to data released by KXAS-TV on Sunday, November 9.

The non-scientific audience survey, conducted in September as part of the Affording America series, asked viewers about affordability challenges. Forty-four percent of respondents said they had cut back on medical or dental care because of higher prices. Another 18 percent reported delaying or skipping prescription drugs over the past year. These figures indicate that cost is a primary driver for rationing healthcare among the surveyed group.

Donna Russell, a full-time worker with employer-provided medical and dental coverage, provided a specific example of these trade-offs. In mid-October, she underwent a doctor’s visit and an MRI for a family member. The out-of-network specialist visit cost $290, and the MRI cost $917. Russell noted that parking added to the total. She stated that the specialist was difficult to replace, making the out-of-network expense unavoidable. Russell has not seen a dentist in two or three years. When faced with a repair cost of several hundred dollars for a tooth, she chose to have it pulled for $65, a price she could afford.

Russell described the decision as choosing between keeping the stuff that keeps her alive and giving up elsewhere. She has reduced spending on travel, dining out, and savings. As of mid-October, she reported having approximately $42 in her bank account, paid on the first of the month. She covers basic needs like gas and bills, but stays home to limit expenses. She uses a Flexible Spending Account to set aside pretax money for healthcare. For the recent MRI, the provider offered a payment plan, which she accepted.

Cynthia Cox, who oversees healthcare cost research at the nonpartisan health policy research nonprofit KFF, said general healthcare costs in the U.S. have been rising faster than inflation for years. Cox noted that after a period of slowing health spending, premiums are increasing again as they move into next year. This trend means patients with insurance may face higher deductibles and cost-sharing. Cox explained that some people are making sacrifices like cutting pills in half, skipping medication doses, or choosing cheaper treatments than what is medically recommended. She said there is growing discussion about lowering the underlying cost of care, including prescription drugs, rather than just adjusting insurance structures.

The survey results align with Cox’s observations on consumer behavior. The data shows that even those with coverage are feeling the squeeze. The survey did not specify the demographic breakdown of the more than 1,000 respondents. It also did not detail the specific types of medical care skipped beyond the general categories of medical, dental, and prescription drugs. The KXAS-TV team plans to continue analyzing the experiences shared by the audience through the NBC DFW affordability survey. They aim to connect consumer needs with potential solutions.

For consumers facing medical bills, financial advisors suggest requesting an itemized bill to review each charge. Patients can ask providers about cash-pay prices and payment plans. A payment plan can help avoid putting medical debt on credit cards with double-digit interest rates. These steps allow families to manage immediate cash flow without incurring high-interest debt. The survey and expert commentary highlight the tension between insurance coverage and actual affordability for working families.