One of the many untold effects of the COVID-19 pandemic is the toll it is taking on patients without the coronavirus. During the initial wave of COVID cases, staying home was universally urged to protect people from exposure to the infection, but, in the process, many people ignored serious medical issues that should have sent them to their provider or an emergency room.
Join Kris Kington Barker as she speaks with Susan Polk, owner of Susan Polk Insurance Agency, and Lindsey Faucette, DO, FAAFP and the chief medical officer at SLO Health-Family and Integrative Medicine, as they discuss how COVID-19 is impacting healthcare access, utilization and insurance coverage for non- COVID care.
One survey found that almost one-third of people admitted to delaying or avoiding emergency care even though they needed it. While access and affordability continue to be a huge problem in healthcare, many today are wondering if it is safe to see the doctor for routine visits yet.
Broadcast date: 8/13/20
Central Coast Voices is sponsored by ACTION for Healthy Communities in collaboration with KCBX and made possible through underwriting by Joan Gellert-Sargen.