Personal and spousal decision making on the funding of medical care not covered by healthcare insurance

The purpose of this study was to investigate personal and spousal decisions to seek funding for spousal medical care, when such treatments are not covered by the National Package of Healthcare Services or by other types of healthcare insurance. Research data were collected in Israel during 2008-2010 by means of structured questionnaires. The questionnaires were administered to a nonrandom sample of 160 patients with a health condition requiring private funding of treatment. The study clearly reveals that the decision to forego fundraising results not only from financial considerations. Patients' illness-related factors and available personal, spousal, and social resources are significant as well.