Quantitative Survey of Perceived Barriers to Physician Care for Women with Coronary Artery Disease

To better understand the perceived barriers to physician office-based care for women with coronary artery disease (CAD), we surveyed 7,191 women from nine states and the District of Columbia who had an AARP® Medicare Supplement Insurance plan provided by UnitedHealthcare, and who were previously diagnosed with CAD. 1,273 eligible women (18.5%) responded to the survey. Most (78%) said their doctor told them they have CAD, while 87% said they saw a doctor about their CAD in the past year. 76% indicated their doctors would talk to them about CAD if it were a concern. Although most respondents (94%) said it was important to take care of their heart, 21% responded that “fear of bad news” kept them from seeking care while another 11.2% cited financial reasons. About 63% responded they would visit their doctor if family members thought they should and 96% responded they would go to their doctor if the doctor's office called to schedule an appointment. In conclusion, there is a disconnect between women's perceptions and actual care seeking behavior. While all of the respondents had a claims history of CAD, only 78% of respondents said their doctor told them they had heart problems. Further, 87% of the respondents stated they saw a doctor for CAD care last year but only 66% had claim to support this. Most women said they want to take care of their heart and said that if their family members or physician said they should go in for a visit they would.