Healthcare who utilizes the most healthcare services is one of the most important sectors of the economy, and it’s no wonder that so many businesses rely on it. In fact, healthcare services are used by more than just businesses; they’re used by households too. This means that healthcare is a sector that’s constantly evolving and growing, which is why it’s such an important part of our economy. In this blog post, we will explore who utilizes the most healthcare services in our economy and how you can take advantage of this trend.
Medicare
According to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, nearly 57 million people utilized healthcare services in 2014. This number includes both individuals who received care through an insurance plan or government program, as well as those who self-pay for their healthcare services. Of the total number of people who used healthcare services, seniors accounted for the largest group, with 34 million people utilizing healthcare services in 2014. Healthcare utilization among seniors has been on the rise since 2007, and is likely due in part to rising health costs and changes in age demographics.
In terms of payers, Medicare recipients utilize the most healthcare services overall. In 2014, Medicare accounted for 27 percent of all healthcare spending. Medicaid followed close behind with 26 percent of all spending on healthcare services. Private insurance was third at 24 percent, while commercial insurance (including employer-sponsored plans) accounted for just 6 percent of all spending on healthcare services.
Medicaid
According to a study conducted by the Commonwealth Fund, Medicaid utilization rates are highest for people with income below 100% of the federal poverty level. Conversely, Medicare utilization rates are highest for those with income above 400% of the federal poverty level. Overall, Medicaid accounted for 38% of all healthcare services consumed in the US in 2013.
The Affordable Care Act (ACA)
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in 2014, 33.1 percent of American adults used healthcare services. Interestingly, those aged 65 and older represented the age group with the highest use of healthcare services, at 43.6 percent. This is likely due to the fact that more seniors are living longer and having more health problems as they age.
Interestingly, those living in poverty were also more likely to utilize healthcare services than those who were not in poverty. Additionally, Hispanics were more likely to utilize healthcare services than non-Hispanics, although this difference was not statistically significant. Finally, women were more likely to utilize healthcare services than men.
Employer-provided healthcare
Employers are increasingly providing their employees with healthcare services. In 2014, 66% of employers offered at least one type of healthcare benefit, up from 49% in 2009. These benefits can include coverage for preventive care, prescription drugs, hospital stays and medical equipment. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, the most frequent healthcare service used by workers is preventive care: 43% of workers use this service at least once a month.
The cost of employer-provided healthcare has been increasing rapidly over the past few years. The average annual premium for family coverage increased from $4,700 in 2006 to $12,000 in 2013. While the percentage of employers that offer health insurance has remained relatively steady (approximately 50%), the amount paid by employees for these plans has risen dramatically. In 2013, employees paid an average of $5,600 out-of-pocket for family coverage. This averages out to be $1,182 per employee per year.
Conclusion
Healthcare providers are employed in the provision of a wide variety of healthcare services. Their roles can vary from hospital care to providing primary care, and many provide both health-related services as well as social support for their patients. In order to better meet the needs of their patients and keep up with changes in technology and medical practice, healthcare providers must continuously update their skills and training.
