By Matt PickettPresident Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Colorado
It’s an all-too-familiar scenario: A routine checkup is postponed, screening is delayed, or a symptom is overlooked. Life is busy. It takes time to schedule appointments, and for many people, there is real concern about whether health care will be a priority.
Right now, delaying care may feel like the practical option. But postponing routine checkups or appointments often has the opposite consequences – higher costs for patients, more complex treatments, and in some cases, worse long-term health outcomes.
This is why prevention matters. It is about our overall health and our financial well-being.
When care is delayed, care becomes expensive
Preventive care is designed to identify health problems early, when they are easier and less expensive for patients to manage. National Research from the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association Shows that complex health issues like cancer, if detected through preventive screening, are more likely to be found at the earliest, most treatable stage, significantly reducing the cost of care for patients.
This matters at a time when household budgets are under pressure due to rising health care costs across the country. according to Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF)The average annual premium for employer-sponsored family coverage is now nearly $27,000 annually, underscoring how delayed care and rising treatment costs impact families, employers, and the health care system. More than two-thirds of adults in Colorado delayed health care or went without it in the past year because it was too expensive, a recent survey found. Colorado Consumer Health Initiative found.
Why does prevention reduce the cost of care?
Lower health care costs don’t start in the emergency room or at the pharmacy counter; They start much earlier. Access to preventive services, early intervention and follow-up support can help manage health problems before small problems become costly crises.
Addressing mental and behavioral health needs before they escalate can also reduce the number of emergency visits and hospitalizations. Similarly, managing chronic conditions like diabetes or heart disease is a great example of how early prevention can help individuals avoid costly complications – especially when the cost of diagnosing diabetes is projected to reach $413 billion in 2022 and for cardiovascular diseases to reach $2 trillion by 2050.
Making prevention easier, not harder
Health plans have a responsibility to remove barriers to preventive care by covering recommended screenings and wellness visits and helping people find where to go, what services they need, or how much care will cost. When people have clear guidance and support, they are more likely to act rather than delay.
We support prevention by combining coverage with practical tools and programs, including:
- Simplifying access through technology: Our concierge care The program and digital tools connect members with 24/7 nurse support and guidance, helping to reduce avoidable hospital admissions and readmissions.
- Transforming data into action: Data insights help identify care gaps and guide members to the right care with tools like the Sydney Health app, making it easier to schedule preventive visits, understand benefits, and avoid unnecessary emergency visits and unexpected costs.
By encouraging earlier action, we are improving both the experience and overall health outcomes.
Investing in healthy communities
Prevention doesn’t stop at the doctor’s office. It extends to our communities through partnerships that help overcome barriers such as access to transportation, nutrition and behavioral health services. Supporting people’s physical, emotional and social needs is critical to keeping our communities healthy and reducing avoidable health care costs.
A better way forward
Health insurance isn’t just for emergencies. Its purpose is to assist individuals and their families so that emergencies never arise.
With health care costs at an all-time high for families and businesses, prevention offers a clear path forward. This leads to better health outcomes, lowers costs and helps ensure people get the care they need most.
Learn more here anthem.com/affordabilityincolorado.
