Millennials are those born between the years of 1980 and 2000. This generation is known to want everything to be convenient, have fast service, and affordable pricing. Due to most of the generation being somewhere between entering college and finding their footing in the real world, they are now expected to start making their own health and healthcare decisions.

Millennials may have had yearly check-ups at their pediatrician growing up, but their schedules are now too demanding to keep up with yearly physicals. Most even put off seeing a doctor as long as possible even when they are sick, as many millennials do not have a primary care physician.

Kaiser Family Foundation did a national poll of 1,200 randomly selected adults, and based off the survey 26% of adults do not have a primary care physician. The percentage of adults that do not have a primary care physician declines with age. 45% of adults from 18 to 29 years old do not have a primary care physician, while only 12% of 65 year olds and up do not have a primary care physician.

Due to the need to want everything to be convenient around their schedules, most millennials would rather go to an Urgent Care facility or a minute clinic within a pharmacy. Minute clinics will typically be the quickest route, but will not be able to diagnose as much as an Urgent Care would. The cost may be higher to go to an Urgent Care, but service is quick, same day appointments are typically always available, and there is after-hours availability.

With Telehealth on the rise, it can be expected that more millennials will go in that direction due to the increasing convenience of not even needing to go into an office and waiting to see a doctor in person. If you are interested in learning more on the 2019 Telehealth Updates, join the 2019 Telehealth Updates Live Webinar with Terry Fletcher on Tuesday, February 5, 2019.