Why 18% of Americans haven’t been to a doctor in the past 5 years

This avoidance of the doctor’s office results in greater reliance on urgent care and emergency rooms, particularly among lower-income individuals. (Photo: Shutterstock)

One of the essential coverage elements included in the Affordable Care Act was a requirement that insurers cover an annual physical with no cost-sharing for the consumer. Despite this “carrot” to encourage Americans to engage in preventive health care, nearly 1 in 5 Americans haven’t been to a doctor in more than 5 years, according to a recent survey from Onlinedoctor.com.

The survey results highlight the range of challenges Americans face with our health care system, including affordability, access and trust. Among survey respondents, 23% express mistrust or are unsure if they can trust their primary care provider–a number that increases among Black and Hispanic populations. What’s not to trust? According to Onlinedoctor.com, recommending unnecessary procedures topped the list (30%), followed by rudeness (24%) and public perception (22%).