Survey Finds More Uninsured and Struggling to Pay Healthcare Costs in 2010

For many Americans, the economic recession has also meant a loss of health insurance or higher health-related costs, according to a new report from The Commonwealth Fund; however, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) is expected to address some of these concerns in coming years. These were just a few of the findings from The Commonwealth Fund 2010 Biennial Health Insurance Survey report. Princeton Survey Research Associates International conducted the survey in 2010 with 3033 adults between the ages of 19 and 64 to gain a better understanding of how the economic recession has impacted healthcare coverage in the United States. The survey found that millions of adults have lost both their jobs and health benefits in the past 2 years. According to the results, 24% of working age adults reported that either they or their spouse had lost their job within the past 2 years. Of those who had received health benefits through their lost jobs, 57% were left uninsured after the job loss, while others either transferred to their spouse’s insurance or found another form of coverage (25%), or continued their job-based coverage through COBRA (14%). For adults without health insurance, there are few affordable options available to attain coverage. Based on the survey findings, 2 of 5 adults, or an estimated 11 million adults, said they found it very difficult or impossible to find a plan with coverage that met their needs in the individual market. In addition, more than a third (35%) of those surveyed had been denied coverage through an insurance provider because of a health problem, were charged a higher price because of a health problem, or had a specific health problem excluded from coverage. The report also found that more working age adults were uninsured in 2010 (28%) than were uninsured in 2001 (24%). This was even more evident in families with low-to-moderate income levels. The costs of healthcare have also increased, and in 2010 more adults were spending large shares of their income on healthcare. The Commonwealth Fund found that 32% of working age adults in 2010 spent ≥10% of their income on out-of-pocket costs and premiums, compared with 21% of adults in 2001. More Americans are also struggling to pay medical bills and debt. In 2010, 40% of working age adults, or approximately 73 million people, reported either having difficulties paying their medical bills, being contacted by collection agencies, changing their way of life to pay for their bills, or paying off medical debt. In 2005, only 34% of people reported these problems. These cost increases have also affected the care people receive, and 41% of adults said they have not been able to get the care they need because of costs—whether it is not visiting a physician or specialist, not filling prescriptions, or skipping recommended tests, treatment, or care. Uninsured adults were also less likely to get preventive care. Even among those adults who have health insurance, 31% reported a cost-related problem related to accessing proper care. The survey revealed that millions of adults are finding themselves without health benefits and even some of those who do have coverage are still struggling to meet the financial demands of healthcare. However, the ACA may help alleviate some of these issues. According to the report, the ACA, which will be fully implemented in 2014, will provide a way for all legal adults to receive health insurance regardless of their employment status. Under the ACA, Medicaid will offer new coverage with little or no premium or cost-sharing measures for uninsured adults in the low-income bracket (<$29,327 for a family of 4). Those families of 4 that make between $29,327 and $88,200 a year will be able to receive tax credits to help them purchase subsidized private health plans. Insurers will also not be able to deny coverage or charge higher premiums for adults with preexisting conditions. In addition, families of 4 that make >$88,200 will be able to purchase private plans with comprehensive benefits through the new state insurance exchanges or the individual market and will also not be able to be denied coverage due to preexisting conditions.