Patients skipping office visits due to cost concerns

One in 5 Americans chose not to seek medical care for a recent illness or injury, with 4 out of 10 citing cost as the primary factor, according to a Deloitte Center for Health Solutions survey of more than 4,000 adults in the United States. Deloitte's survey also showed that 79% of respondents visited a physician or healthcare professional and sought medical attention in 2010 as compared with 85% who did likewise in 2009.

Other results of the survey showed 15% of consumers reported visiting a retail clinic, and 34% said they would do so if it cost half as much or less than the cost of a doctor's appointment.