New Study from Madaket Health Reveals Nearly Half of Americans Delay Healthcare Due to Cost and In-Network Barriers
Nearly half (47%) of Americans admit to putting off health care services due to cost barriers. Millennials (78%) are most likely to do so compared to 56% of Generation X and 30% of Baby Boomers. The majority (74%) are also likely to delay care if their provider is out-of-network. Nearly a quarter (24%) of respondents say they delayed routine specialty care, such as a dermatologist or eye doctor, due to cost, suggesting preventative medical care and screenings may not be occurring as recommended.
When it comes to selecting a health insurance plan, cost (68%) and access to in-network providers (59%) were cited as the most important factors.
'Our survey revealed some difficult truths about our fractured healthcare system. The fact that so many people are delaying care if their preferred provider is out-of-network highlights the importance of data accuracy,' said Madaket Health CEO Eric Demers. 'When provider information is outdated or incorrect, patients can't reliably identify affordable, in-network options, leading to unnecessary delays and higher costs.'
DIY approach to healthcare
Not only are Americans willing to delay care if their provider is out-of-network, but some are also going out of their way to pay for it themselves. More than one-third (38%) of respondents have sought out and opted to pay out of pocket for a service that was either out-of-network or not covered by insurance. Nearly seven out of 10 Millennials (68%) will take this approach compared to 44% of Gen X and only 21% of Boomers.
Even though Millennials are more likely to put off care due to cost barriers and lack of in-network providers, they are also not shying away from taking a more do-it-yourself (DIY) approach when it comes to healthcare.
For example, 43% of Millennials have accessed services like concierge medicine, where patients pay an annual or monthly fee for primary care or other services, compared to just 20% of Gen X and just 8% of Boomers.
From virtual visits to apps: openness to digital care
While Millennials may be more open than older generations to new ways of accessing healthcare, certain digital services are catching up, as 60% of total respondents admit to using online or app-based healthcare services. Of these services, online prescriptions (28%) and virtual primary care (24%) are the most popular across generations. 65% of Gen X and just under half (49%) of Baby Boomers have accessed these digital services, hinting at a greater openness to consume healthcare in new ways as they age.
Americans are not keen on all their services going the virtual route, as nearly half (47%) say they are not open to digital testing. However, over one-third said they would be open to receiving both their primary care virtually (35%) and their mental health services (33%) digitally.
About the study
The research was conducted by Censuswide, surveying a sample of 1,000 U.S. adults (age 25+) who have health insurance. The data was collected in May 2025. Censuswide abides by and employs members of the Market Research Society and follows the MRS code of conduct and ESOMAR principles.
About Madaket Health
Madaket Health targets billions of dollars in healthcare administrative waste by simplifying provider data management, revenue cycle, and exchange processes. Eighty percent of provider groups have exchanged data through the company's platform, which validates, automates, and synchronizes provider data between payers and healthcare organizations to improve patient and member experience, enhance revenue, and ensure regulatory compliance. Learn how Madaket Health mitigates claims processing delays and stems lost revenue by addressing data problems at the source with a fully connected provider data analytics and insights platform at madakethealth.com.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Newsweek
28 minutes ago
- Newsweek
California Removes 900,000 People From Health Care Plan
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Hundreds of thousands have been removed from a health care plan in California over the course of two years, according to data from KFF, a nonprofit health policy research and news organization. About 900,000 Americans were disenrolled from Medicaid in the state as part of the unwinding process happening nationwide after Medicaid coverage was expanded following the COVID-19 pandemic. Newsweek has contacted the California Department of Public Health via email for comment. Why It Matters The unwinding process has resulted in significant drops in Medicaid enrollment across the U.S. There is now growing concern about the rising population of those without health insurance and the wider impacts this could have, such as worsening health outcomes, increasing strain on emergency services and rising medical costs. The worry has been amplified by the recent passing of President Donald Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill, in which funding cuts, a focus on "waste, fraud and abuse" and work requirements are in store for Medicaid. Many have voiced concern that the measures will result in millions losing health coverage. File photo: A doctor walks with a young boy through a hospital. File photo: A doctor walks with a young boy through a To Know In California, there were 14,285,643 covered by Medicaid in March 2023, but by March 2025, that number was 13,392,566, KFF data shows. This was because during the pandemic, some states expanded Medicaid coverage under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), causing nationwide enrollment levels to increase. Federal rules forced states to keep most Medicaid enrollees on the program, even if their eligibility status changed, until March 2023, when they were then allowed to start rolling recipients off the program. This marks a change of about 900,000, a decline that was smaller than other highly populated states like Texas, Florida and New York. In March 2025, the number of people with Medicaid coverage in California was still higher than pre-pandemic levels, by 16 percent. The reason why Medicaid coverage is unwinding at different rates in states is because "states approached the process of reviewing the eligibility of their Medicaid beneficiaries with fundamentally different strategies," Michael Sparer, professor and chair of the Department of Health Policy and Management at Columbia University, told Newsweek. He said that Florida and Texas began the review process "as fast as they could and immediately declared ineligible those beneficiaries who did not promptly respond to review notices." "There is clear evidence that many beneficiaries who were still eligible lost coverage simply because they did not timely navigate the administrative hurdles to recertification," he added. Meanwhile, he said that New York and California "were far more deliberate in how they approached the review process, thus the number who've lost their eligibility via this process is far fewer." What People Are Saying Michael Sparer, professor and chair of the Department of Health Policy and Management at Columbia University, told Newsweek: "Medicaid enrollment surged during the pandemic for several reasons, including increased unemployment combined with a requirement that in exchange for additional federal funding, states could not recertify beneficiary eligibility until the "public health emergency" was declared over. Put simply, millions signed up during the pandemic and their eligibility could only be reviewed beginning in the spring 2023. "There is reason to be quite concerned about how this has played out and also what it suggests may happen when Medicaid work requirements, which create their own set of administrative hurdles, are implemented. First, persons who are eligible for coverage should not lose coverage. Bad health outcomes will follow. Second, persons who are no longer Medicaid eligible should be guided to other options, such as subsidized ACA marketplace coverage. Finally, the variation in how states conduct Medicaid eligibility reviews leads to unfortunate inequities." What Happens Next As the unwinding continues, more reductions in enrollment are expected in California and across the country. With millions already having lost health coverage, concerns remain about access to care for low-income individuals and families.
Epoch Times
12 hours ago
- Epoch Times
Most Americans Won't Get COVID-19 Booster This Fall, Survey Says
A majority of Americans said they will likely not receive a COVID-19 booster vaccine this fall, according to a poll released Friday. A survey from the health care organization KFF found that 59 percent of respondents said they either will not or likely will not receive the booster dose. Around 37 percent said they would 'definitely not' receive the shot, while 23 percent said they would 'probably not get' the shot.
13 hours ago
Dietitian explains fibermaxxing trend: What it is and how to properly incorporate fiber in your diet
The latest dietary health trend sweeping social media, known as "fibermaxxing," has people pondering the age old question: Can you have too much of a good thing? Millions of videos on TikTok using the hashtag #fibermaxxing have flooded TikTok feeds with an overflow of information. So to help better explain what it actually means and how it works, "Good Morning America" spoke to registered dietitian Steph Grasso, who said it's a trend she can personally get behind. What is fibermaxxing? Grasso, who regularly informs her more than 2 million followers on TikTok and nearly 300,000 followers on Instagram about proper nutrition habits, recently tapped into the viral trend on Instagram, highlighting the potential issues people may face by increasing fiber too quickly and overwhelming the gut. "Fibermaxxing is slang for eating tons of fiber, either meeting or exceeding the daily recommendations," Grasso said. "Protein has always gotten the spotlight, but with colon cancer rates increasing, people are becoming more aware of their low fiber intake and trying to maximize it." Whenever she's posted about fiber, Grasso said her comment section seems to fill up with replies like, "Fiber doesn't agree with me" or "Fiber makes me bloat way too much." "And I think fiber gets that reputation," she said. "Last year, I claimed 2024 as the year of fiber and made my content mostly about it -- trying to influence people to increase their intake," she explained. "I highlighted, and still highlight, beans as a convenient and affordable way to get in fiber. I think the most common misconception is, 'Fiber causes gas and bloating, so I should avoid it.'" While she explained that fiber can indeed cause gas and bloating, that doesn't mean you should avoid it. "That's your body's way of telling you it's feeling way too overwhelmed, because it's never digested that much fiber before," she explained. "Sudden fiber increases, especially if fiber isn't usually part of your diet, can cause temporary gastrointestinal symptoms because your gut bacteria just isn't used to fermenting it." How to properly increase fiber intake "If you're trying to add more fiber to your diet, I recommend increasing it slowly and gradually," Grasso said. "If you never eat fiber, set a goal for 5 grams of fiber a day. Then in the second week, try 10 grams per day and increase by 5 grams each week as tolerated." She also noted that as people are increasing their fiber, they should also be "drinking plenty of water," because "fiber needs water to bulk and aid digestion." The U.S. Department of Agriculture Dietary Guidelines for Americans suggest at least 25 grams of fiber per day for women under 50 and at least 31 grams daily for men under 50. Easy ingredients to add more fiber to your diet "Beans, beans, beans," Grasso said with gusto, discussing the best foods to add more fiber to your diet. "They are so convenient, affordable and versatile. One cup has about 6-8 grams of fiber." Whole grains are another high-fiber food group that Grasso suggests adding -- think "quinoa, oats and barley." "Or snacking on fruit and nuts can increase your fiber intake," she said. "And of course, making half your plate veggies during lunch and dinner will help meet your fiber goals." Health benefits of fiber While Grasso said she could pen an entire article solely dedicated to the studied health benefits of fiber, she summed it up simply. "[Soluble] fiber supports digestive health by feeding beneficial gut bacteria. It also binds to LDL, [or] "bad" cholesterol, in the digestive tract and helps remove it, lowering your cholesterol levels," Grasso explained. "Plus, it slows the absorption of glucose -- sugar -- helping stabilize blood sugar levels and reducing post-meal spikes." No one food group can be responsible for better or worse overall health -- they should be combined with a well-rounded diet and other healthy lifestyle habits like exercise, Grasso said -- and anyone looking to change their diet should first consult with a physician before making a major change like upping your fiber intake. ABC News medical correspondent Dr. Darien Sutton recently weighed in on fibermaxxing for "GMA3." "This is a trend I can stick by," Sutton said. "The majority of us are talking about protein, but very few of us are talking about fiber. It's the one nutrient can extend your life. And 95% of Americans are not getting the recommended amount of fiber." To help people visualize how much fiber they should be getting, Sutton said the daily recommendation in terms of food is equivalent to about seven apples or 11 bananas. But he added, importantly, "this is not where you should get all of your fiber." Like Grasso, Sutton said to utilize beans and legumes by adding them to a salad, or try a half cup of nuts for about 8 grams of fiber. Two to three handfuls of vegetables is about 8 grams of fiber, he said. If you want to kick start the day with a lot of fiber, Sutton suggested adding chia seeds and fruits to morning oats for about 20 grams of fiber. "Fiber is so much more than helping us with digestion. That helps to regulate your sugar and protects you against diabetes, but it binds toxins and reduces inflammation, and that helps us to reduce our risk of colon cancer, and it helps us to get rid of cholesterol. There are so many benefits of fiber, and so few of us are getting it."
