In the past year, there has been a surge in credit card usage among Americans, with expenditures on groceries increasing by 31% and gas by 22%, as reported by a recentsurvey. This uptick reflects how the relentless rise in inflation and cost of living force consumers to reassess their financial priorities. These trends extend beyond consumer goods, seeping into essential services like healthcare.
The financial strain that leads individuals to postpone seeking care worsens due to delays. Treating health issues in their earlier stages is often more effective and less expensive than addressing advanced or chronic conditions. These persistent, untreated health problems can also impact patients’ quality of life by limiting their ability to work or engage in social activities and negatively impact their mental health as they worry about their well-being and the consequences of delaying care.
“In a recent Weave survey, almost half of consumers said they’d be less likely to delay treatment if their healthcare provider offered BNPL,” said Neish. “At the same time, however, the survey showed that more than half of consumers said their healthcare providers do not currently offer flexible payment options.”