Nearly 1 in 5 Seniors Skip Necessary Medical Care, Survey Finds

A survey from Clover Health estimated that 18 percent of 1,000 adults over age 60 have skipped necessary medical treatment, reports Becker's Hospital Review . The poll found 24 percent of seniors with an annual household income of less than $35,000 have avoided seeking medical attention, along with 17 percent of individuals in the $35,000 to $74,999 income bracket and 12 percent of those whose annual income topped $75,000. Meanwhile, 20 percent of women avoided seeing a physician despite a health issue, versus 16 percent of men. The most frequently cited reasons for skipping necessary medical care were high costs, worries about the diagnosis being too complex, and the inability to find a physician that respondents liked or were comfortable with. "It is very concerning that 18 percent of U.S. seniors reported not seeking medical care even when they felt they needed a doctor's attention," said Clover Health's Kumar Dharmarajan. "Older adults are particularly vulnerable to complications from chronic conditions and illnesses like the flu, making it crucial that they get the medical care they need."