Americans are Delaying Non-Emergency Medical Care in Higher Numbers than Last Year

Rhea-AI Summary

A recent survey by Discover Personal Loans reveals that 32% of Americans with medical debt are skipping retirement savings, while 27% are neglecting other bills. A significant 52% delay seeing specialists and 41% postpone treatment. Furthermore, 47% expect to take over a year to repay their medical debt. The financial strain is evidenced by a rise in Americans with under $1,000 in savings, increasing from 31% to 39%. Consumers report heightened anxiety due to medical costs and insurance complexities. Personal loans are suggested as a potential solution amidst growing economic challenges.

Positive

• Highlighting the increased awareness of medical debt issues may lead to more consumers seeking financial assistance.
• Potential for Discover to market personal loans as solutions for medical debt and unexpected expenses due to the growing concerns.

Negative

• Rising percentage of Americans experiencing medical debt stress may indicate deteriorating consumer financial health.
• Increased anxiety levels regarding medical costs could lead to higher default rates on loans.

Paying off medical debt has forced 32% of Americans with medical debt to skip saving for retirement and 27% to stop paying other bills

RIVERWOODS, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- A national survey conducted by Discover Personal Loans has found that financial stress is impacting how Americans seek and pay for medical care.

As Americans find themselves living through a turbulent economic period, many people with medical debt are delaying non-emergency medical care in higher numbers than they were a year ago. Specifically, Americans with medical debt are putting off seeing a specialist (52%), being seen for a sickness (41%) and undergoing treatment plans recommended by their doctor (31%). Almost half of Americans with medical debt (47%) say that it will take them more than a year to pay down their current medical debt.

Paying off medical debt has forced many Americans to forgo other daily expenses at higher rates than last year, including saving for retirement or falling behind on credit card payments:

Financial commitments delayed due to medical debt	2022	2021
Stop spending on dining and entertainment	48%	35%
Skip vacations	42%	37%
Pay the minimum payment, and no more, for my credit cards	42%	23%
Skip adding to my emergency savings	36%	28%
Skip saving for retirement	32%	32%
Stop paying other bills	27%	37%
Stop saving for my child’s college	14%	20%

“Consumers are feeling more pressure to juggle their bills in order to make ends meet,” said Matt Lattman, vice president of personal loans at Discover. “Skipping things like paying bills, getting seen for an illness or building an emergency savings fund can have long-term effects. There are ways to finance some of these things that will reduce longer term impacts.”

Finances surrounding medical debt are stressful in multiple ways. For instance, 62% of people with medical debt said that figuring out how to pay for medical care causes them anxiety, while 32% say that understanding which costs insurance is going to cover is a source of anxiety.

In addition, Americans have been saving less this year. When asked how much money they have saved, not including retirement accounts, the number of respondents with less than $1,000 in savings jumped from 31% to 39% in 2022. Smaller savings impact Americans’ ability to pay for unexpected medical expenses, which can lead to financial hardship. This year, 55% of Americans said that they are ill-prepared to cover the cost of an unexpected medical bill, up 12 percentage points from 2021. Therefore, Americans need alternative solutions to cover medical expenses.

“Personal loans are one of many tools that are available to consumers to help them through this economic environment,” added Lattman. “A loan can help you pay off medical debt or cover unexpected medical expenses while the cost of living is higher due to inflation.”

About the Survey

A national survey of 1,521 U.S. residents ages 18 and up was commissioned by Discover and conducted by Dynata (formerly Research Now/SSI), an independent research firm, between May 18 and May 30, 2022. The maximum margin of sampling error was +/-3 percentage points with a 95 percent level of confidence.

About Discover

Discover Financial Services (NYSE: DFS) is a digital banking and payment services company with one of the most recognized brands in U.S. financial services. Since its inception in 1986, the company has become one of the largest card issuers in the United States. The company issues the Discover® card, America's cash rewards pioneer, and offers private student loans, personal loans, home loans, checking and savings accounts and certificates of deposit through its banking business. It operates the Discover Global Network^® comprised of Discover Network, with millions of merchants and cash access locations; PULSE^®, one of the nation's leading ATM/debit networks; and Diners Club International^®, a global payments network with acceptance around the world. For more information, visit www.discover.com/company.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220707005148/en/

Robert Weiss

robertweiss@discover.com

224-405-6304

@Discover_News

Source: Discover Financial Services

FAQ

What percentage of Americans with medical debt are skipping retirement savings?

32% of Americans with medical debt are skipping retirement savings.

How many Americans are delaying medical care due to financial stress?

52% of Americans with medical debt are delaying seeing a specialist.

What are the financial behaviors influenced by medical debt according to Discover's survey?

According to Discover's survey, 48% stop spending on dining and entertainment, 42% skip vacations, and 36% refrain from adding to emergency savings.

What is the trend in Americans' savings in 2022 compared to previous years?

The percentage of Americans with less than $1,000 in savings rose from 31% to 39% in 2022.

When was the Discover survey conducted?

The Discover survey was conducted between May 18 and May 30, 2022.