Chronic Disease Straining Our Health Care System

Over the past fifty years the cost of our nation's health care system has grown from five percent of our economy to almost 20 percent. From one-twentieth to one-fifth. The questions facing us now as Americans is how did this happen, and what can be done to turn things around?

Many factors have contributed to the growth, but the closer you examine the facts, the clearer it becomes that reducing chronic disease is the only path to getting America's health care costs under control.

The high cost of treating lifestyle-induced chronic disease easily tops the list of culprits straining our nation's health care system. Of the $2.5 trillion spent annually on healthcare, 75 percent goes to treating a variety of chronic conditions which might have been avoided by following a healthier lifestyle. Studies have shown that up to 97 percent of chronic disease cases are affected by lifestyle choices made by the patient.

The good news is that understanding how chronic disease strains the system provides an additional incentive to act. It's never too late to change, and individuals who take action by reducing detrimental habits like smoking, or improving exercise and eating habits can benefit personally and financially, while helping prevent any real crisis in the health care system.

Taken as an individual average, chronic disease dwarfs all other health care cost drivers. Each year, system-wide, the average American costs the health care system approximately $8,000. But, of course, not everyone costs the same amount. The lion's share of the total expenditure goes to a distinct group of patients. On average the cost to the system for a person suffering from chronic disease is five times greater than for a person without chronic disease. The amount of money is staggering. Annually, the cost of treating heart disease and stroke is $432 billion; for diabetes it's $174 billion. Lung disease and cancer easily top $100 billion each.

Most of us know from experience that asking someone to change long ingrained habits for the benefit of the larger group won't often produce change. The average chronic disease sufferer spends 30 years with their condition, and habits are hard to break. They sometimes give us pleasure and are like comfortable old friends we hate to part with, even if we know they are hurting us. Feeling healthier physically and enjoying life more seem like distant goals. It can be hard to get started, but the benefits of doing so come in many forms, one of which is saving money—your money.

The State of Florida, for example, allows premium adjustment of up to 150 percent on individual policies, based on a health analysis of the applicant. That means premiums in excess of double what another person is paying to the same provider for the same policy. Even with health insurance for small employee groups, the rating will take into consideration the health of each employee, so the health of one individual can affect the rate for the entire group. Fortunately, bringing a chronic condition like diabetes or cardiac risk under control can result in a insurance rate reductions after a stipulated amount of time, usually six months to a year.

The money which fuels our health care system comes from a variety of sources—from businesses and corporations, from state, local and federal governments, from taxpayers, and from individuals buying coverage for themselves and their families in the insurance marketplace. Eventually, the money comes from all of us, so however an individual plugs into the health care system there is a good reason to take positive steps.

As Americans we have come to expect options, and we do have options for improving our own health, and the strength of our entire health care system. It starts with taking ownership. It involves committing long enough to feel the tremendous benefits of a healthier lifestyle and reducing the burden of chronic disease. And the final payback is actually saving your self money while helping to improve our system.


------

For more information contact Vincent Ferriero at 386-878-4242 or visit our website at http://sunsurehealth.com. Blue Cross Of Florida