Meet Chloe: Because of the high cost-sharing burden for accessing her needed medications, Chloe will be forced to choose between spending a large portion of her income to treat her bipolar or go without.
Patient Profile: Out-of-Pocket Cost Burden for Patients Treating Mental Health Conditions
We’ve been exploring profiles of patients managing different chronic conditions like cancer and rheumatoid arthritis and the burdensome out-of-pocket costs they face. Unfortunately, for many like Eric and Rebecca, health insurance exchange plans may be putting patient access to needed medicines at risk.
Meet Chloe. Chloe is a 35-year-old retail clerk, living in California. Chloe earns $1,653.25 a month – meaning she qualifies for additional cost-sharing subsidies when purchasing a silver plan through the health insurance exchange. And like many of the nearly 44 million Americans managing a mental health condition, she uses medication to treat her bipolar affected disorder.
Because of the high cost-sharing burden for accessing her needed medications, Chloe will be forced to choose between spending a large portion of her income to treat her bipolar or go without. Past research shows, those with lower-income family budgets are most likely to use their income for necessities such as food, housing, taxes and transportation. Learn more in our latest interactive patient profile.
Chloe’s profile highlights the number one priority of most Americans when it comes to health care. Kaiser Family Foundation’s latest Health Tracking Poll found 76 percent of respondents said their top health priority is making sure medicines are affordable for those who need them.
Visit the Access Better Coverage website and our Patient Profiles for information on understanding health insurance and getting the information you need to choose the plan that is best for you and your family.
