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Some Americans Skipping, Delaying, or Reducing Their Medications

Americans Skipping, Delaying, or Reducing Their Medications

1 minute read

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) National Health Interview Survey found that 8.2% of Americans aged 18-64 skipped, delayed, or reduced the amount of their prescription medication in 2021 due to cost.

Out-of-pocket costs on retail drugs rose 4.8% to $63 billion in 2021. High costs may limit many peoples’ ability to take their medication as prescribed, which may result in more serious illness or require additional treatment.

 

Key Survey Takeaways

  • Woman (9.1%) were likelier than men (7%) not to take medication as prescribed
  • Adults without prescription coverage (18.1%) were more likely not to take medication as prescribed to reduce costs
  • Uninsured adults (2.9%) were more likely not to take medications as prescribed due to cost
  • The percentage of adults not taking medication as prescribed due to cost varied by race and origin: non-Hispanic other or multiple race adults, 11.5%, Black adults, 10.4%, Hispanic, 9.7%, White adults, 7.4%, and Asian adults 6.8%

 

Conclusion

Americans are cutting back on prescribed medications due to financial reasons. This behavior is expected to continue as the economic pressures continue to strain Americans’ finances. Some common strategies for reducing prescription costs include choosing generic drug versions, comparing prices, and using a preferred pharmacy.

Employers should continue to monitor health care trends, utilization, and spending. Download the bulletin for more details.

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National Insurance Services is not a law firm and no opinion, suggestion, or recommendation of the firm or its employees shall constitute legal advice. Readers are advised to consult with their own attorney for a determination of their legal rights, responsibilities and liabilities, including the interpretation of any statute or regulation, or its application to the readers’ business activities.

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Steve Smith

Steve Smith

Steve Smith is a powerhouse of energy, living by the mantra "work hard, play hard." As an expert in uniting teams for a greater purpose, Steve's innovative and creative strategies in employee health and wellness are game-changers. With over 25 years of expertise in health insurance, covering compliance, cost mitigation, utilization, analytics, wellness plans, and strategic planning, Steve is the go-to expert for driving down utilization trends and fostering a culture of well-being. His clients trust him to deliver exceptional results, making him an invaluable asset in the industry. As an Employee Benefits Consultant, Steve specializes in health care consulting for Minnesota public sector organizations including fully insured, self-insured, and stop-loss plans. Steve is a licensed insurance agent and holds the designations for Managed Healthcare Professional (The Health Insurance Association of America), Certified Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act Professional (National Association of Health Underwriters), and Group Benefits Disability Specialist (Hartford School of Insurance).