High-need adults — those with multiple physical or cognitive limitations — are almost twice as likely to struggle financially as adults who are not high-need. Such financial difficulties can lead people to avoid getting the care they need, when they need it. Furthermore, research shows adults experiencing financial hardship are at increased risk for chronic disease and early death.
To explore how financial difficulties affect the health care of high-need adults,1 we analyzed data from the Commonwealth Fund Survey of High-Need Patients conducted from June to September 2016. We defined financial difficulties as worrying about having enough money to pay for housing or monthly bills, or making less than $15,000 a year.
Our analysis finds an interaction between financial hardship, complex medical needs, and access to high-quality care. In light of this, and the large body of research which shows that financial difficulties can have adverse implications on patients’ health, providers and health systems should consider the benefits of systematically screening patients to understand their financial needs, and then linking them to services to help meet those needs.