This section includes information about access to optimal and affordable pain care. The United States is the only advanced industrial society in the world where a patient’s ability to pay determines access to healthcare. As a result, many people with little ability to pay have either no or minimal health insurance coverage. It is reasonable to infer that their access to healthcare services – including pain management – is thus impaired. Even within voluntary or employer-sponsored health insurance programs, access to optimal pain care may be limited. With that in mind, National Healthcare Expenditures (NHE) grew 6.7% to $2.1 trillion in 2006, or $7,026 per person, and accounted for 16% of Gross Domestic Product.[i] By understanding how your state’s Medicaid or an individual on a commercial or Medicare Part D Managed Care benefit operates, healthcare professionals and caregivers may be in a position to advocate on behalf of the best interests of patients with pain. People in pain and caregivers can also advocate for improved access on behalf of themselves and loved ones.
[Source: [i] Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. National Healthcare Expenditures Fact Sheet. Last updated February 25, 2008. http://www.cms.hhs.gov/NationalHealthExpendData/25_NHE_Fact_Sheet.asp#TopOfPage. Retrieved March 6, 2008]
Practice the ABCs of pain management Assess, Believe the patient and Care for them.
