Why Americans Are Skipping Healthcare — Even With Insurance
For many Americans, the problem is no longer simply whether they have health insurance.
The problem is whether they can actually afford to use it.
A recent report from the State Health Access Data Assistance Center (SHADAC) found that millions of Americans delayed or skipped needed medical care in 2024 because of cost. Even more concerning, many of those individuals already had health insurance coverage.
At Aslan Health, we see this every day.
Patients delay appointments because they are afraid of surprise bills. Others avoid lab testing because they have not met their deductible. Some ration medications, postpone follow-up visits, or ignore symptoms until their condition becomes severe enough that they can no longer wait.
Unfortunately, delayed care often becomes more expensive care.
The Growing Problem of Forgone Care
According to SHADAC:
- 12.4% of U.S. adults reported skipping needed healthcare because of cost in 2024.
- Among uninsured adults, that number rose to 43.3%.
- Adults living with chronic disease were even more likely to delay care because of financial barriers.
These statistics reflect a reality many families already know firsthand. Having insurance does not always mean healthcare feels affordable.
High deductibles, copays, coinsurance, and rising monthly premiums continue to place enormous pressure on working families, especially those in the ALICE population — households that are employed but still struggle to afford basic necessities.
For many people, the financial uncertainty surrounding healthcare becomes overwhelming.
The Hidden Cost of Delaying Care
When patients delay care, small problems often become larger ones.
A manageable blood pressure issue can become a stroke.
A delayed diabetes diagnosis can become kidney disease.
A persistent cough can become advanced lung disease.
A breast lump ignored because of cost concerns can become late-stage cancer.
Primary care works best when people can access it early.
That is why affordable access matters so much.
At Aslan Health, we regularly care for patients who delayed treatment because they believed they could not afford the healthcare system. Many arrive after months or years without medications, preventive care, or follow-up visits.
In many cases, the barrier is not unwillingness to seek care.
The barrier is cost.
Why Affordable Primary Care Matters
One of the biggest frustrations patients express is uncertainty.
They often do not know:
- What the visit will cost
- Whether insurance will cover it
- What their deductible applies to
- How much the labs will be
- When the bill will arrive
That uncertainty alone causes many people to avoid seeking care.
Aslan Health was designed to simplify that process.
All appointments are $75 when paid the same day, plus labs if needed. Patients know the visit cost upfront. We also accept HSA and FSA payments and provide itemized receipts that patients may submit to their insurance company for possible reimbursement.
For many patients, predictable pricing removes enough fear and uncertainty that they finally feel comfortable seeking care again.
Insurance Does Not Always Equal Access
Healthcare conversations often focus on insurance coverage rates, but access to care involves more than carrying an insurance card.
A patient with a $7,000 deductible may still avoid care because they cannot afford to use their coverage. Another patient may technically have insurance but still struggle with medication costs, transportation barriers, time away from work, or childcare responsibilities.
That is why affordable community-based primary care remains so important.
At Aslan Health, our mission is to help remove barriers to care while treating every patient with dignity, compassion, and respect. We believe people should not have to wait until a medical issue becomes an emergency before seeking help.
Early Care Changes Lives
Affordable primary care does more than treat illness.
It helps prevent crisis.
When patients can access care early:
- Chronic diseases can be managed before complications develop
- Screenings can detect problems sooner
- Medications can be adjusted before hospitalization becomes necessary
- Patients receive education and support that improves long-term health
Most importantly, patients regain hope and stability.
Healthcare should not feel financially impossible for working families.
As costs continue to rise across the healthcare system, affordable and accessible primary care is becoming more important than ever.
Resources
The Commonwealth Fund: State of Health Insurance Coverage in the U.S.