A new study reveals that uninsured patients with severe spinal cord injuries are 49% more likely to be taken off life support compared to those with private insurance, posing significant ethical and operational challenges for insurers.
Survival Disparities Based on Insurance Type
Uninsured patients are 98% more likely to die, highlighting a critical gap in care that insurers must address to ensure equitable outcomes. Public insurance provides some protection, but private insurance remains superior in reducing mortality and complications.
Industry Call to Action
These findings underscore the need for insurers to reevaluate policy structures and coverage limits, particularly in high-cost, high-risk cases like spinal cord injuries. Insurers must also consider strategies to mitigate disparities in care to avoid ethical concerns and potential regulatory scrutiny, ensuring that financial constraints do not dictate life-and-death decisions.