Cost Sharing for Emergency Surgical Conditions—The Moral, Clinical, and Financial Hazards

John W Scott,A Mark Fendrick

doi:10.1001/jamahealthforum.2021.1585

Abstract

Andrew P. Loehrer, MD, MPH; Mary M. Leech, BA; Julie E. Weiss, MS; Chad Markey, BA; Erik Wengle, BS; Joshua Aarons, BA; Stephen Zuckerman, PhD

Highlights

The fundamental purpose of health insurance is to reduce risk against potential financial losses incurred owing to health care use
The potential hazards associated with increased cost sharing for emergency surgical conditions are more complex clinical presentation and worse financial strain for patients
The finding by Loehrer and colleagues[2] of a significant association between cost sharing and patient presentation for emergency surgical conditions suggests that cost sharing is hazardous to patients’ clinical health and to their financial well-being

Summary

Introduction

The fundamental purpose of health insurance is to reduce risk against potential financial losses incurred owing to health care use. The potential hazards associated with increased cost sharing for emergency surgical conditions are more complex clinical presentation and worse financial strain for patients.

Results

Conclusion