by Millennials are seeking more professional help with health issues than ever before, a new study has revealed.
Conducted by the United Healthcare and Health Action Council, the study explored factors and claims data from policyholders ages 27 to 42 — a total of 126,000 people. It compared current data from April 2021 to March 2022 with historical data dating back to 2012. The findings were presented in the groups’ sixth annual white paper.
Millennials with shared chronic medical conditions and their children are “high users” of the health care system compared to Gen Xers, the survey found.
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This includes 106% more hospital admissions for millennials with diabetes and 55% more emergency room (ER) and urgent care (UC) visits for hypertension.
Although obesity rates for millennials are lower, there were 31% more ER and UC visits and 29% more hospital admissions for people with obesity.
The new study revealed 106% more hospital admissions for millennials with diabetes and 55% more emergency room visits and urgent care for hypertension. (iStock)
Millennials with back disorders have 22% more ER and UC visits than Gen X, with 46% higher hospital admissions.
There were 36% higher ER and UC visits for millennials with osteoarthritis.
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Behavioral health use is up 35% for millennials and their children compared to pre-pandemic levels.
This includes anxiety, depression and trauma disorders, which make up 66% of behavioral diagnoses for the generation.
In 2019, 31% of PTSD diagnoses were given to millennials. In 2022, this number increased to 38%.
During the coronavirus pandemic, health care use by millennials increased by 35%, according to a new study. (iStock)
Additionally, millennials and their children account for 41% of neurodevelopmental disorder claims, according to the study.
The most common diagnoses include attention deficit disorder (ADD) at 43% and autism spectrum disorders at 35%.
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As healthcare costs continue to rise, the leading clinical cost driver for millennials is pregnancy.
These costs increase with complications such as fertility treatment, high-risk pregnancies, multiple births, cesarean deliveries, and prolonged hospital stays.
Millennial parents with Alpha generation children have a 38% higher rate of healthcare utilization than those born in other generations.
The new study revealed that millennials who are pregnant pay an average of $770 per member per month. (iStock)
This includes 22% higher ER visits, 9% higher UC visits and 76% higher outpatient surgeries.
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Millennial parents of Gen Alpha children also scheduled 543% more virtual healthcare visits than other generations.
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Dr. Mykale Elbe, director of the MSN Nurse Practitioner program and assistant professor of nursing at Maryville University in Town and Country, Missouri, told Fox News Digital that she was “not surprised by these findings.” He did not participate in the study.
Behavioral health use is up 35% for millennials and their children compared to pre-pandemic levels.
When it comes to mental health, Elbe pointed out that millennials and younger generations are “destroying the stigma,” which leads to greater awareness of symptoms and help sought by health care providers.
“Since the pandemic, health care providers in all settings have seen an increase in patients with mental health disorders and seeking help,” he said.
He added that he hopes “this wave will subside as we move into the post-pandemic period, but that has yet to be seen.”
A doctor said the coronavirus pandemic has increased the use of healthcare for “minor disorders”. (iStock)
Elbe attributed the increase in health care use to the recent arrival of accessible medical facilities, such as urgent care, over the past decade.
“This puts healthcare in the hands of the public for anything from sore throats and injuries to more serious concerns,” he said.
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“With the pandemic and [with] everyone is on heightened alert for any upper respiratory symptoms, we continue to see an increase in healthcare utilization for minor ailments as we have now educated the public that if you have a cough, you should get tested for COVID,” Elbe added. .
In her experience in pediatrics, Elbe said she has seen more parents bring their children in for viral upper respiratory infections than before the pandemic.
“We have now educated the public that if you have a cough, you should get tested for COVID.”
“With new forms of health care available with urgent care and convenient care clinics, we’re seeing patients use health care and be more proactive in seeking care on a regular basis,” he said.
According to the study, millennial parents with Alpha Generation children have a 38% higher rate of healthcare utilization than those born in other generations. (iStock)
Elbe expressed shock at the significant increase in hospital admissions for diabetes, though it fits with other millennial health care uses.
“While their costs of diabetes care are higher, their diabetes control is better than older populations,” he said. “This makes sense, as they are younger, generally healthier and more active than their older counterparts with diabetes.”
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Overall, Elbe said she is concerned about the amount of health care utilization and costs among millennials, as well as the issue of provider shortages.
“With this shortage, we’re seeing longer wait times for health care providers to see patients,” he said.
