6 Expectations Millennials Have For Their Healthcare

You may have seen recent news headlines proclaiming that millennials are killing napkins. Or that they’re ending plastic drinking straws, the beer industry or even homeownership. While these stories may be a bit extreme, there’s no doubt millennials are shaking things up, considering they make up nearly 23% of the U.S. population. Healthcare is no exception, and unsurprisingly, millennials have some pretty strong opinions about what they want from healthcare providers.

The majority of millennials — typically defined as those born between 1982 and 2000 — grew up as digital natives and expect convenience, speed, and transparency from the services they purchase. With these expectations bleeding over into healthcare, millennials are turning the traditional care delivery model on its head. Here are six expectations they have for their care:

1. They Take Care Into Their Own Hands

Millennials see themselves as responsible for their own care and are less likely to rely on a health system they are dissatisfied with. In fact, a survey by the Kaiser Family Foundation found that 45% of 18 to 29 year-olds and 28% of 30 to 49 year-olds have no primary care provider (PCP). This is a stark difference compared to the survey’s findings among older generations, 85% of which have a PCP. On top of that, over a third of millennials prefer healthcare from retail walk-in clinics over visiting their doctor’s office.

These statistics foretell of a larger generational shift toward on-demand healthcare, where younger patients prioritize speed of delivery and availability of appointments over the relationship developed with a PCP.

It will be curious to see if, once millennials start aging and experiencing additional health concerns, their attitudes will shift and align with what we see among the boomer population today.

2. They Do Their Research

Considering how many millennials don’t have a dedicated PCP, it’s less surprising to hear that 38% say they trust their peers more than their physician. Additionally, over half (55%) said the information they find online is “as reliable” as their doctor.

In fact, for non-urgent health concerns, millennials are twice as likely as other generations to act on health advice found online, including from sources like social media. Nearly 50% of millennials and Gen-Xers also use online reviews to select care providers, compared to 40% of baby boomers and 28% of seniors.

“Millennials do research and come into our offices more informed about their medical conditions,” says Kim Jenkins, CEO of OrthoSouth. “They’re also researching the physicians and paying close attention to online reviews and social media commentary. When you think about it, this really isn’t so different than what baby boomers do — boomers get insights from their friends and neighbors next door. Millennials get insights from their ‘neighbors’ online. Both groups seek outside opinions, but millennials are drawing from a vastly larger and often better-informed ‘neighborhood’.”

2. They Do Their Research

This article appeared in Forbes. Read more here.