Medical costs are prompting Romanians to delay doctor visits, with 8 in 10 saying they would seek care sooner if they could pay in installments, according to a tbi bank survey of 1,072 respondents nationwide.
Only 13.7% say they handle non-urgent tests or treatments on time, while over 42% admit they often think about needed medical care but postpone it for "someday". More than 80% say they would act faster if medical expenses could be spread out.
Romanians would most often use installments for dental treatments (56.9%), complex investigations (55.1%), and doctor-recommended interventions (33.8%). Lack of money remains a major barrier: 16.25% cite it as the main obstacle, 20.6% rate it as very important, and 30.75% see it as a moderate impediment.
"When costs become a barrier, people postpone necessary checks or treatments. Flexible payment solutions can make the difference between intention and action," said Ionut Sabadac, VP Merchant Solutions with tbi bank.
When facing medical expenses, 43% rely on savings, 38.5% postpone care until they gather the money, and 18.9% turn to family or friends. Over 76% are open to paying in installments.
Although nearly 24% say they prioritize health regardless of cost, most still postpone check-ups: 36% frequently delay decisions, 25.5% do so to some extent, and only about 10% act proactively.
The absence of flexible payment options influences medical decisions for 30.4% of respondents frequently, 24.5% sometimes, while 25% say they manage regardless.
The survey was conducted earlier this year via the iVox platform; 54% of participants were men, and nearly 25% earn over 6,000 RON net per month.
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