Paytient Study Reveals 61% of Insured Workers Pay for Healthcare in Cash Without Filing Claims
A new study commissioned by Paytient and conducted by Greenwald Research reveals significant shifts in how employer-insured workers manage healthcare costs. The research found that 61% of surveyed employees have paid for medical care or medication entirely in cash without filing an insurance claim, a behavior that remains largely invisible to employers. This trend suggests a growing preference for 'payability'—the ability to self-pay or spread out-of-pocket expenses through predictable methods like payroll deductions. The study highlights a strategic opportunity for employers facing projected healthcare cost increases of 11% or more. By integrating payment tools that allow employees to spread costs over time, companies can transition to lower-cost plan designs without compromising the employee experience. Findings indicate that two-thirds of workers prefer spreading a $2,000 expense over six months rather than paying a $1,000 copay upfront, suggesting that structured payment options could improve care seeking and reduce long-term claim severity.
Topics: consumer behavior employee benefits health plan design healthcare costs