Affordability, Accessibility, and Their Impact on Wellness

Healthcare affordability and access are essential items when it comes to maintaining our overall wellness. When we have access to quality healthcare, we can better support our physical wellness by getting regular checkups and seeing appropriate providers when we feel unwell. Affordable healthcare options improve our chances of maintaining both our financial and mental wellness by alleviating the stress of high costs for care.

According to the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), uninsured adults are more likely to forego regular care for chronic conditions, while those with adequate coverage experience better health outcomes due to regular monitoring. Physical and mental well-being is negatively impacted when we can’t afford or access healthcare because we are uninsured or underinsured. Other barriers, including geographic and socioeconomic limitations, can negatively impact mental, financial, and physical wellness.

According to a review in the journal Health Services Research, accessibility and affordability have been at the core of quality healthcare for over 30 years. It defines the five A’s of access to care: affordability, availability, accessibility, accommodation, and acceptability. Meeting all five of these aspects of access to care could improve overall wellness by alleviating stress and improve health outcomes by lowering the barrier to entry into the healthcare system.

Molecular Testing Labs is committed to improving access to quality and affordable care by bridging gaps between large and small communities, reaching marginalized populations, and working with state and local health departments to widen access to diagnostic testing. With our self-collection options, patients have improved access to affordable options, even if they live in an underserved or rural location. Our comprehensive menu of tests with fast turnaround times also provides opportunities for providers to perform both preventative and acute testing, bringing earlier diagnoses, peace of mind, and potential cost savings to patients.

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References

1. US Department of Health and Human Services. Access to Health Services. gov. https://health.gov/healthypeople/priority-areas/social-determinants-health/literature-summaries/access-health-services
2. McLaughlin, C.G. (2002). Access to Care: Remembering Old Lessons. Health Services Research, 37(6), 1441-1443. https://doi.org/10.1111%2F1475-6773.12171