Many Consumers Are Considering Drastic Changes in Health Care Behavior to Cut Expenses

With open enrollment season in full force across the country, many Americans are evaluating health care benefits for themselves and their families. But, according to a new survey conducted by BearingPoint, Inc. (NYSE: BE) and Zogby International, a startling percentage of citizens are considering denying themselves and their children health care to save money during this unstable economic environment.

The survey, “Impact of the Economic Crisis on Health Care Consumers,” found that of the roughly 3,500 American adults polled, nearly one in 10 were more likely as a result of the reported economic crisis to either drop their health insurance plan or switch to a plan with lower premiums and less attractive benefits. Considering the number of insured adults in the country according to the most current report from the U.S. Census Bureau, Income, Poverty, and Health Insurance Coverage in the United States: 2007, August 2008, this would translate to almost 21 million American adults that are considering making sweeping changes in their health care behavior to cut expenses.

“The purpose of this survey was to understand how the financial crisis is impacting health care consumers and changing their behaviors,” said John Distefano, vice president of health care payer services for BearingPoint. “While Americans are looking at many ways to curb their expenses, this survey reveals for the first time that they are considering cutting back health care services and benefits as a result of the economic conditions.