Financial barriers

Insurance Coverage

Insurance coverage, tied to employment, is the admission ticket to health services. While there are several government programs to provide services, substantial numbers fall into the “near poor” and uninsured or underinsured groups. Patients/clients are reluctant to seek care without insurance and providers/facilities are reluctant to provide care since services may not be reimbursed. Insurance reform is a health policy issue currently under discussion at the federal and state levels to stimulate investment in health care for all Americans.

Reimbursement Levels

Reimbursement levels for health services have been a major disincentive for providers and health care facilities. While government programs and private insurance companies have attempted to implement cost containment and reasonable reimbursement, significant gaps exist and exacerbate the barriers that populations at risk may experience.

SEE ALSO: Health insurance, Medicaid, Medicare

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• financial barriers to health care

Category: Access to Health Care