Millennials are more likely than older generations to embrace a nontraditional approach to pay their medical expenses. Millennials also are more likely than non-millennial generations to regularly underestimate the cost of health care, according to a new report.
Aflac, a provider of voluntary and worksite insurance, discloses this finding in its 2016 Aflac WorkForces Report. Conducted by Lightspeed GMI on behalf of Aflac between January and February 2016, The online study surveyed 1,500 benefits decision-makers and 5,000 employees at small, medium and large companies throughout the U.S.
"Employer-sponsored health care coverage is essential for employees," Aflac Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer Matthew Owenby says. "But as costs continue to rise, the younger generations appear more likely to tackle health care-related financial issues by means that older generations would not consider, including crowdfunding."
In the midst of rising health care expenses, the Aflac study revealed that millennials (ages 18 to 36) are more likely than non-millennial generations to regularly underestimate the cost of an injury or illness, including medical, household and out-of-pocket costs (66 percent vs. 45 percent).
Nearly two-thirds (65 percent) say if they had an unexpected out-of-pocket expense, they could afford less than $1,000. They are also more inclined than older generations to try unconventional means such as borrowing from friends or family and crowdsourcing to pay for out-of-pocket health care expenses.
"Millennials' resourcefulness in trying alternate means to cover health care costs illustrates their deep concern for financial safety in the event of an unexpected injury or illness." Owenby said. "But the bottom line is that they tend to be both financially strapped and less aware of the potential costs of an accident or illness. We need to do a better job in educating them about how voluntary insurance can provide solutions for those who are looking to avoid a crippling debt."
Although health care reform may have helped expand access to affordable health care, out-of-pocket costs can still be substantial. For example, the out-of-pocket limits for 2017 are $7,150 for individual coverage and $14,300 for family coverage, making added insurance protection like voluntary insurance increasingly relevant to help pay out-of-pocket costs.
Voluntary insurance includes coverage such as accident, disability, critical illness, hospital and more. Unlike major medical insurance, voluntary insurance policies pay cash directly to the policyholder, unless otherwise assigned, when they are sick or injured to help cover unexpected out-of-pocket costs.
