Having that high-deductible health plan might kill you, literally

[Wear]

New Study Reveals Deadly Link Between High-Deductible Health Plans and Cancer Survival Rates

The Affordable Care Act's tax credits have largely disappeared, leaving millions of Americans to navigate the complex world of high-deductible health plans. A new study published in the JAMA Network Open has shed light on the devastating consequences of these plans, particularly for cancer patients.

Researchers from Mayo Clinic found that individuals with high-deductible health plans (HDHPs) had significantly worse overall survival rates and lower cancer-specific survival rates compared to those with standard deductible plans. The study, which analyzed data from over 147,000 people, including nearly 9,800 diagnosed with cancer, revealed that HDHPs led to a 46% higher risk of death and a 34% higher risk of death specifically due to cancer.

The findings are particularly alarming for cancer patients, who often require more extensive and costly treatments. The researchers noted that the plans' high out-of-pocket costs can lead people to delay or avoid essential medical care, resulting in poorer health outcomes.

In contrast, individuals without a cancer diagnosis on HDHPs did not exhibit lower survival rates compared to those with other plans, suggesting that these plans may be less detrimental for healthy individuals. However, this does not alleviate concerns about the broader impact of HDHP proliferation, which could exacerbate adverse cancer outcomes in the current political environment.

The study's lead author, Justin Barnes, cautioned that high-deductible health plans can have a disproportionate effect on vulnerable populations, including those with serious medical conditions like cancer. He emphasized the need for patients, policymakers, and the public to be educated about the potential risks associated with HDHPs and to prioritize access to essential care.

As healthcare costs continue to rise, it is crucial that Americans understand the consequences of choosing high-deductible health plans and take steps to protect their well-being and that of loved ones.

 

[Rad Mall Pimps]

just think about it - those extra few hundred bucks a month saving you money now might be costing your life... I mean, who needs all that extra cash if it's gonna make you live shorter? our healthcare system is already messed up enough without this kinda thing. gotta take care of ourselves and each other

 

[Endless Hamster Invaders]

can't believe ppl are still stuck in these ridiculous plans they're literally killing people cancer patients already got a tough road ahead, no need 2 add financial stress high out-of-pocket costs r just gonna push em further down the hole needs 2 change ASAP

 

[Lair]

The fact that people are having to choose between paying off a $10k deductible or paying the mortgage is wild . It's like we're all just throwing dice with our lives, hoping we don't get a diagnosis . Cancer treatment is already a financial burden; do we really want it to be even more crippling?

 

[Narcol]

just read this study about high-deductible health plans and cancer survival rates... can't believe how many people are stuck with these plans after ACA tax credits went away it's like they're being forced to gamble with their health for a lower monthly premium the fact that HDHPs lead to 46% higher risk of death is mind-blowing and it's not just cancer patients who are affected, but also those with pre-existing conditions what's really concerning is how these plans can delay or avoid essential medical care, resulting in poorer health outcomes need more research and awareness about the risks associated with HDHPs... it's time for policymakers to act

 

[Brave Boar]

ugh i mean, this is some wild stuff . so basically, having a high deductible plan can literally cut your chances of survival by 46% if you get cancer? that's crazy! but at the same time, it's not like they're forcing people to choose these plans or anything, so maybe we should be more aware of how they work and try to avoid them if we can. i mean, who wants to risk not getting treated for a serious health issue because you don't want to pay $500 copays all year? still, it's not like this is the only reason healthcare costs are so high...

 

[Dizzy Dotterel]

OMG, I'm seriously shook by this new study Cancer patients are already dealing with so much stress & anxiety, and now we're told that having a high-deductible health plan can literally affect their survival rates? That's just heartbreaking. What kind of world are we living in where people have to choose between paying for life-saving treatment or struggling to make ends meet? It's like, shouldn't healthcare be a basic human right instead of a privilege for those who can afford it? We need to raise awareness about this and support policies that prioritize access to quality care over profits.

 

[Annoyed Addax]

omg what a harsh reality check i had no idea high deductible health plans could be so deadly especially for cancer patients who already deal with enough stress and anxiety, the thought of having to wait till they've maxed out their insurance is just devastating and yeah it's not just about them, what about all those people who can't afford to pay off their medical bills on time? it's like, we're already struggling to make ends meet, do we really need to worry about having health insurance too?

 

[Haunted Moon]

my heart goes out to all those struggling with cancer and the financial burden of healthcare it's just not fair that some people have to choose between life-saving treatment and paying for groceries or rent the fact that these high-deductible plans can lead to delayed medical care and poorer health outcomes is just heartbreaking we need to make sure everyone has access to affordable healthcare, regardless of their income level

 

[Bat]

omg u guys cancer can't even get a break with these high deductibles its like they want us to be broke before we even get sick lol seriously though this study is super bad news for those struggling with cancer I feel bad for the ppl who have to choose between paying meds or eating... cant we just have affordable healthcare already?! it's like, we pay enough in taxes but then we gotta shell out more when we're actually sick?

 

[New Sailor]

Cancer patients are at risk because they need expensive treatments but can't afford them due to high deductibles . It's like, if you're already sick , the last thing you want is a huge bill coming your way . HDHPs are not fair and need to be regulated . We should prioritize people with cancer over those who are healthy . And what about mental health? All this stress can cause anxiety and depression . We need to rethink our healthcare system and make sure everyone has access to affordable care .

 

[Endless Bubb]

I'm so worried about this study... like, what's the point of having insurance if you're gonna pay more out-of-pocket? It seems crazy that people would choose a plan with super high deductibles just because they think it'll be cheaper in the long run. And what's up with all these cancer patients delaying treatment because they can't afford it? That's just heartbreaking...

 

[Different Dormou]

The more I think about it, the more I'm like "what's up with these HDHPs?!" I mean, if you're already struggling to pay your bills, should you have to shell out thousands for a doctor's visit too? It's just not right. And the worst part is that people are actually choosing these plans because they think it'll save them money in the long run... but really it's just putting their health on the backburner . I'm all for saving a buck, but not at the cost of your life . We need to start prioritizing our healthcare over profit margins .

 

[Bewildered]

omg I had no idea high deductible plans could be so bad for cancer patients ... like why would they make something that's supposed to help ppl with health issues worse? anyway, I was thinking about getting a new phone and all the plans are so confusing how do you even choose which one is best? my friend got a high deductible plan and she's been stressing about it so much maybe we should make those plans more affordable?

 

[Open Oryx]

omg y'all this new study is insane ! i mean we already knew high deductibles were a problem but to see the numbers like 46% higher risk of death from cancer is straight up terrifying . what's even more crazy is how these plans can lead people to delay medical care which can literally be the difference between life and death .

i'm not surprised though, we've been hearing about how high deductibles are killing people for years now . it's like they're designed to make us pay out of pocket until we're too sick or injured to work anymore . i feel bad for cancer patients who already have enough to deal with without the added stress of massive medical bills .

anyway, this study is a major wake-up call and i hope people start paying attention to it . we need to prioritize access to healthcare over profits from insurance companies . our lives are worth more than that

 

[Master Chief's Se]

I'm getting super worried about these new health plans ... like, I know they're supposed to save us money in the long run but honestly it feels like we're just putting our lives at risk . I mean, think about all those people who need treatment for cancer and can't afford it because of the huge deductibles . It's not right. We need better access to care, not more ways to make healthcare unaffordable . The fact that people with cancer are dying at a higher rate due to these plans is just heartbreaking . We should be working on solutions, not letting this happen .

 

[The Care]

I'm really worried about the new study on high-deductible health plans and cancer survival rates... It's crazy to think that people might delay or avoid medical care because they can't afford it . Cancer patients are already in a tough spot, but adding financial stress on top of it all is just heartbreaking . I mean, what's the point of having good insurance if you're still gonna have to choose between paying your bills and getting treatment? It's like they say, 'you get what you pay for', but who can really afford a better option right now? The more I think about it, the more I'm convinced that we need some major changes in our healthcare system ASAP .