2024 trend report cover with title 'Top Healthcare Challenges: Americans Intimidated by Unexpected Costs'. Includes image of a woman looking through a microscope.

The US healthcare system is intimidating

It isn’t just you. From unexpected costs to deciphering their health benefits, the vast majority of Americans find navigating the US healthcare system daunting.

A circular progress chart showing 83% completion, with a green segment representing progress on a black background.

“I just don’t like going to the doctor. I find it very, very intimidating. I like to have control over my own body. I don't like people doing tests on me. I don't like being stuck with needles. I don't like people doing exams here and there. I don't like it at all.”

— Research Participant, age 24

Consumers are in the dark about costs

We asked Americans what was intimidating about healthcare, and unexpected healthcare costs topped the list at 59%.

Bar chart showing patient feelings about healthcare, with categories for unexpected costs, understanding benefits, lack of control, embarrassment, knowing when to see a provider, asking for help, following instructions, communication barriers, and no issues. The chart includes colors for each category and a quote about cost transparency.

What’s inside the report?

Everyone’s healthcare experience is different. So in this report we break down the top healthcare challenges by the following key demographic groups:

  • Gender

  • Age

  • Race/Ethnicity

  • Education

  • Employment

  • Disability status

  • LGBTQIA+

  • Geographic community

Bar chart titled 'Statistically significant findings' comparing frequency of different animals across studies. The chart shows that 63% of studies found certain animals, 61% found others, and 59% found yet others, with smaller percentages for other animals.

Understand the concerns of modern healthcare consumers

Our results from over 1,200 US respondents give statistically significant answers to what today’s patients really want from healthcare.

A dark-themed infographic about research methodology combining quantitative and qualitative data, featuring a central logo labeled "Bixa" and four sections of descriptive text around it.

“Here's the thing about the uncertainty of health costs today: it makes you so frustrated and so nervous. You go in for a treatment or a service, and you're going to be a little bit worse off emotionally after the fact, even if they've helped your health needs. Because then you think, ‘Here comes the bill. Here comes the headache’.”

— Research participant, age 33

2024 Trend Report: Top Healthcare Challenges: Americans Intimidated by Unexpected Costs' with a woman looking through a microscope, and pages with charts and text in the background.