The Thompson Reuters Consumer Healthcare Sentiment Index found Americans were more confident in the availability and affordability of healthcare in September.
Despite the increase, the index remains slightly below the baseline measurement from the end of 2009. The index is calculated annually using data from more than 100,000 U.S. households, collected through the Thomson Reuters PULSE Healthcare Survey on healthcare behaviors, attitudes and utilization.
Overall, Thompson Reuters reported the volatility in confidence which has marked the year seems to be moderating and noted some consumers may have negative expectations for the fourth quarter of this year.
The survey on which the index is based looks at both recent events and future predictions, each in a three-month period. Survey respondents indicated they expect to be able to pay insurance expenses in the coming three months, but not significantly more so than in the previous iteration of the survey.
They also indicated the previous three months went better than those preceding them. Respondents were less likely to delay or cancel visits to the doctor or filling their prescription than in the past.
