Rising Inflation forces patients to take dire choices
Dr. Ismail Sayeed
Director of The VIOS Clinic - A Virtual MSO Platform | Helping Doctors start their own Telehealth Practice | Building Healthcare, on your terms - ask me how 📲
As prices of essential medicines and healthcare services continue to rise, patients with chronic health conditions increasingly struggle to make ends meet. Every year, inflation creates a strain on their budgets as they find it harder and harder to cover the seemingly growing expenses that come with managing their health issues.
Many are being forced into dire situations where they have no choice but to go without necessary treatments or medications - risking significant physical and emotional harm in the process - due to cost-prohibitive bills associated with receiving quality care.
In this blog post, we'll take a look at how rising inflation impacts those living with chronic health conditions and explore ways we can help ensure access to affordable care for everyone.
Key Takeaways
Inflation Causing Anxiety and Mental Health Issues for Patients
Inflation, the steady rise in prices of goods and services, is having a profound effect on mental health issues among patients. A report released earlier this year showed that the cost of living has risen by over 10% since 2018, creating financial strain and increased levels of stress, anxiety and depression among those struggling to make ends meet.
The impact of inflation on mental health can be seen through the rising cost of healthcare services. For those already suffering from financial distress, increases in medical expenses can further add to their anxiety when seeking out medical help for emotional issues or physical ailments.
Additionally, as prices continue to climb, access to preventative care becomes more limited due to prohibitive costs which might otherwise help avoid further medical treatment down the road.
In addition to healthcare costs, basic necessities like food and gas are also increasing in price which only serves to add more pressure to an already precarious situation.
The inability to purchase even simple items such as groceries or fill up a tank of gas can be seen as a direct threat for some individuals who rely heavily on day-to-day resources in order to survive—leading many into a spiral of doubt and self-deprecation over their current financial situations.
It’s critical that mental health professionals are aware of these growing economic pressures while working with their clients—especially those who may already be facing difficulty dealing with past trauma or personal crises.
How Inflation is Affecting Healthy Food Choices
The steady rise in prices of goods and services due to inflation has had a major impact on how people make choices when it comes to buying healthy food. With the cost of groceries and other necessities rising, individuals are increasingly being forced to purchase less nutritious options for their meals in order to stay within budget.
For those already living paycheck-to-paycheck, finding a way to purchase wholesome foods can be an added hardship when trying to provide for their families.
Even staples like fruits and vegetables tend to increase faster than other items, often forcing people to opt for cheaper but less healthy alternatives such as processed items or various snacks.
Another consequence of high inflation rates is that organic products become even more expensive than usual, making them virtually out of reach for many—particularly those at the lower end of the income spectrum.
As a result, individuals may find themselves unable to access nutritious items that could otherwise help maintain good health, leading to further repercussions within their daily lives.
In order to try and combat this ongoing problem, many countries have implemented programs that help subsidize certain foods—offering financial support in areas where higher-priced healthy options are out of reach due to inflationary pressures.
This assistance can make all the difference when it comes to ensuring that proper nutrition remains accessible despite rises in price levels.
Inflation continues to be an ongoing challenge that affects us all in different ways—especially when it comes down to decisions on what we choose to eat each day.
It’s important that we keep this issue top-of-mind so we can make sure everyone has access not only to affordable but also healthier options going forward!
Taking steps to discuss budgeting strategies, access relevant assistance programs and provide peer support systems may all prove beneficial when addressing the larger picture when it comes to managing one’s mental well-being during times of economic hardship.
Effect of Inflation on Gym Membership Cancellations
As inflation continues to rise, more and more people are making the difficult decision of canceling their gym memberships due to the increasing cost. With the price of necessities such as food and rent continuing to climb, individuals have been forced to prioritize other expenses which can’t easily be overlooked—such as medical bills or rent payments—as opposed to indulging in luxuries like a gym membership.
In addition to rising costs, some gym-goers may also find themselves unable to find time for physical activities due to an increase in workloads stemming from job security issues caused by current economic conditions.
As hours are cut back or jobs are lost altogether, individuals may be left with even less time available for working out and decide that a monthly fee is not worth it in this instance.
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Another factor that could lead people away from continuing their gym memberships is the added stress surrounding any kind of large financial commitments, particularly in times when prudent money management becomes even more critical.
The fear of being locked into contracts can create an uncomfortable situation for those who don’t want to be locked into something they cannot easily get out of if faced with further uncertainty financially down the line.
How High Fuel Costs Are Preventing Patients from Attending Doctor Appointments
As fuel prices continue to soar, many patients are being directly impacted in ways that prevent them from attending important medical appointments. In rural areas where public transportation is limited or non-existent, traveling to and from doctor’s offices without a vehicle can be almost impossible.
Consequently, the added cost of transportation can often outweigh the discounted fees associated with visits to general practitioners and specialists alike.
With no other viable options available, those who may have otherwise been able to afford medical care now find themselves unable to make it in for necessary check-ups or treatments due solely to the burden of rising gasoline rates.
As a result, people are put at risk not only physically but also mentally and emotionally as well—having serious issues go unattended due to lack of access more than ever before.
Inflation's Impact on the Purchase of Cheap, Uncertified Drugs by Patients
In recent years, inflation has caused a growing number of patients to turn to non-approved, cheap drugs from uncertified sources as a way to reduce healthcare costs. As medication prices continue to rise, many individuals find themselves in a desperate situation where they cannot afford the certified and protected drugs recommended by their physicians.
This also puts them in an untenable situation where their only available options are either forgoing important treatments or purchasing questionable drugs from potentially unreliable sources.
Those who decide to purchase from these alternatives run the risk of receiving counterfeit medications which could contain dangerous amounts of active ingredients—jeopardizing both the user’s health and potentially causing serious harm if improperly used.
Aside from threats posed directly by these types of low-cost medications, upcoming changes in laws regarding drug regulation also threaten to create an even more unpredictable environment for potential buyers.
Such potential changes would most likely make already scarce supplies even less available as products become harder for manufacturers and distributors to properly handle with little incentive given their uncertain legal status.
How Inflation is Forcing People to Cancel Private Health Insurance
Inflation has had a significant impact on the cost of living, and health care is no exception. Private health insurance premiums have increased drastically over recent years, leading many to abandon coverage in order to save money.
Those who do manage to keep their coverage often find themselves paying significantly more for the same services they used to get before inflation set in.
This can be especially difficult for those already living paycheck to paycheck, as rising healthcare costs can quickly become unmanageable when combined with other bills and daily necessities.
The lack of private insurance also puts individuals at greater risk medically speaking, as patients without health plans may be inclined to wait longer before seeking help—especially in cases where treatments are expensive and treatments require special attention from specialists outside the primary care provider’s office.
Without adequate coverage, these specialist visits can become cost prohibitive and must then be put off until a later date— if not altogether canceled in some cases.
The consequences of this situation are twofold; individuals face rising medical expenses while simultaneously becoming more susceptible to potentially serious complications caused by untreated conditions or illnesses left undiagnosed due to lack of access or financial means.
How Inflation is Forcing Patients to Rely on the Emergency Room for Follow-up Care
Due to rising inflation, patients are increasingly turning to the emergency room for follow-up care in lieu of scheduled visits with their primary physicians. This shift has been attributed largely to costly prescription medications and treatments, which can be prohibitively expensive when taken into consideration with other medical expenses.
The costs associated with private health insurance have also risen significantly, leading individuals who have coverage to search for cheaper alternatives wherever they can find them. Unfortunately, this often leads right back to the ER—a setting ill-equipped and understaffed to handle anything beyond immediate or emergent care.
Being seen in an emergency room also carries certain risks that accompany any hospital visit—namely increased exposure to other potentially contagious illnesses such as the flu or pneumonia.
Furthermore, many hospitals lack dedicated case workers or social workers who provide support services such as guidance on long-term affordable treatments or referrals for specialists outside the hospital setting.
Where can Patients find Affordable Self-Pay Healthcare Coverage?
Inflation is a reality that we must grapple with and it affects more than just the rising cost of living. Its effects on chronic health conditions can be serious and even life-threatening.
If you or someone you know is struggling to keep up with the costs of chronic care, affordable self-pay virtual care memberships may provide some relief. Contact us for more details about how we can help you get the care you need, at a price you can afford.