The Indicator from Planet Money The hidden costs of healthcare churn
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Jun 12, 2025 The podcast dives into the troubling issue of healthcare churn in the U.S., revealing how frequent insurance changes can harm both finances and health. Personal stories illustrate the chaos individuals face, including a mother in West Virginia navigating the system. With 20% of Americans switching plans yearly, the discussion highlights the impact on patient care and the complexities involved. It also advocates for reforms like automatic re-enrollment and emphasizes the need for a healthcare system that prioritizes preventive care.
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US Healthcare Churn Problem
- Healthcare churn in the U.S. is caused by complex, fragmented insurance coverage switching frequently between employers, Medicaid, and marketplaces.
- This frequent switching delays treatment and worsens health outcomes due to constantly changing coverage and provider networks.
Fragmented Insurance Causes Disruption
- U.S. health insurance's fragmentation leads to numerous plans each with different eligibility, co-pays, and benefits.
- This complexity prevents Americans from maintaining stable insurance, creating constant disruption in access to care.
Medicaid Enrollment Reluctance
- Patients often avoid enrolling in Medicaid fearing future loss due to small income changes.
- This reluctance leads to gaps in coverage and untreated health issues due to churn cycles.
