More Than Half of Consumers Going to Doctors Less Due to Rising Healthcare Costs, According to checkMD Survey : 38 Percent Lack Adequate Employer Healthcare...( checkMD an o...),Health

checkMD, an online social network and healthcare information resource, today released the results of a new poll indicating the correlation between increasing healthcare costs and more infrequent doctor visits. More than half of the 247 respondents (54 percent) indicated they are going to the doctor less than they previously were due to rising healthcare costs. In an additional question of 274 participants, nearly 24 percent felt that their employer did not provide adequate healthcare coverage and a further 14 percent are getting no healthcare coverage from their employer at all.

LEHI, Utah (Business Wire EON) November 17, 2008 -- The poll results correspond with recent studies showing that out-of-pocket spending on healthcare for insured consumers has more than doubled in the last five years. The sizable segment of uninsured Americans, recently estimated at 46 million, is contributing to escalating premiums to offset the cost of their care and crowded emergency rooms, as these uninsured consumers typically do not seek the preventive and primary care to treat their conditions prior to them requiring urgent attention.

"These numbers, while shocking, underscore the complexities of today's healthcare landscape and the challenges that the next administration will face," said Jon Black, CEO of checkMD. "With climbing healthcare costs and challenging economic times, Americans are under more pressure to carefully evaluate providers to make informed choices. The extent of available information on checkMD, including the comprehensive listings of doctors, hospitals, and disciplinary actions, can help assist in that selection."

The visitor poll is one of several new interactive and social media components that have been added to the checkMD site. In addition to the polls, the website now prominently features discussion forums, blogs and video. Registering and
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