More than half of respondents say they have skipped paying for certain goods and services to afford health care.
Millennials are shaping the ways in which health care is delivered and paid for in the United States. And as with other generations, many are experiencing a bumpy road in the process. Nearly half of millennials — or 36 million individuals — have experienced a surprise medical bill, according to a survey by HealthCare.com. In addition, more than one-third have received a mistaken bill or had a claim denied, and more than one-fourth report having medical debt.
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"These challenges may be a contributing factor in why many millennials are unsatisfied with their health insurance options," according to the survey report.
- Nearly four in 10 are very or somewhat unsatisfied with their health insurance options.
- About three in 10 are neither satisfied nor dissatisfied.
- One-third are somewhat or very satisfied with their options.
- Ninety-one percent of millennials surveyed have health insurance, while 8% do not.
Millennials who have insurance are most likely to get it through their employer (61%) although some get it from Medicaid (14%) or Medicare (7%). About one in 14 insured millennials buys insurance through a federal or state marketplace, and 7% purchase it independently from a private company. Among millennials who are self-employed, 39% get their health insurance through a government program such as Medicare or Medicaid.
Among the other findings:
A slight majority call health insurance affordable. Fifty-four percent of millennials say the health insurance options available to them are somewhat or very affordable. Thirty-five percent pay less than $100 in monthly premiums; about one in five pay between $100 and $199; and 14% pay between $200 and $299.
Millennials have mixed feelings about the cost of plans. Although 64% say cost isn't preventing them from obtaining health insurance, 29% say it does. More than half of respondents say they have skipped paying for certain goods and services to afford health care.
Millennials are transforming health care use through urgent care and telehealth. About half say they have used an urgent care center in the past. Many (35%) have turned to telehealth services for physical ailments, while 26% have sought mental health services through telehealth platforms. Twenty-seven percent have used discount pharmacy apps, and 18% have turned to alternative medicine. About one in 11 say they have traveled abroad for health care.
Many have unmet health needs. More than one-third of millennials say they experienced unmet health care needs because of the pandemic. Thirty-three percent skipped a checkup or wellness visit, and nearly as many (30%) say their dental care needs went unmet. About one-quarter say their mental health needs went unmet, and 27% had unmet physical health needs.
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Alan Goforth
Alan Goforth is a freelance writer in suburban Kansas City. In addition to freelancing for several publications, he has written a dozen books about sports and other topics.
