Healthcare Utilization Trends: Changing with the Times Insurance
Plan restrictions and reputable Internet resources have shifted healthcare utilization trends
Chicago, IL – November 26, 2008 – A recent survey conducted by the National Headache Foundation (NHF) determined that healthcare utilization by migraineurs may be changing due to increased accessibility to online resources and health plan limitations. According to the survey, while 66% of respondents have been diagnosed with a specific headache type, 36% have not sought healthcare services on a regular basis. Respondents listed not being able to afford prescription medications and lack of health insurance as the top two reasons for not seeking regular healthcare services.
“These findings indicate that financial constraints such as inability to afford needed visits with healthcare providers and the cost of drugs are major barriers to seeking care among migraineurs and other headache sufferers. As a result, many patients are seeking out alternative treatment methods and are learning about such alternatives through electronic media and other self-seeking information and education resources,“ said Dr. Nabih Ramadan, Board Member, National Headache Foundation.
Patients are empowered by the use of the Internet and the educational resources it offers. Even among people who seek medical advice from healthcare providers, more than 50% of them also conducted their own research about their health condition. Only information obtained from one’s healthcare provider rated higher than the NHF as a credible and trustworthy source of headache information.
“Unlike ever before, patients are using a number of different treatment methods for their headaches without seeking professional medical care. While professional guidance remains critical to optimal treatment of migraine and other headache disorders, the availability of credible resources on the Internet, social networks advocacy groups and professional organizations, allow patients to become better informed and educated about their illness and the means to manage it,” says Dr. Ramadan.
Of those who responded to the survey, 68% reported using prescription medications for their headaches. Alternate treatment methods listed by survey respondents included the use of over-the-counter medications (73%), sleeping (70%), lying in a dark room (59%) and applying cold/hot compresses (46%).
ADDITIONAL NHF SURVEY RESULTS
• 31% of respondents selected their healthcare providers based on a referral from their family physicians and 29% chose from a list covered by their health insurance plan
• 38% of respondents said they visit a primary care physician (internal medicine or family practice) to seek treatment for their headaches
• 30% of respondents reported seeing a neurologist for their headache and/or migraine pain
ABOUT THE NATIONAL HEADACHE FOUNDATION
The National Headache Foundation, founded in 1970, is a non-profit organization which exists to enhance the healthcare of headache sufferers. It is a source of help to sufferers’ families, physicians who treat headache sufferers, allied healthcare professionals and to the public. The NHF accomplishes its mission by providing educational and informational resources, supporting headache research and advocating for the understanding of headache as a legitimate neurobiological disease. Interviews with headache specialists are available upon request. For more information on headache causes and treatments, visit www.headaches.org or call 1-888-NHF-5552 (M-F. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. CT).
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Contact:
Suzanne E. Simons
Executive Director
312-274-2651
