Obamacare Pros and Cons, Facts: Cost Misconceptions, Lack Of Awareness Keep Eligible Adults From Healthcare
Many U.S. adults who likely qualified for financial aid on the Obamacare health program chose to remain uninsured last year, CNN has reported.
Based on a recently released 2014 Kaiser Family Foundation survey, around two-thirds thought the coverage was too costly or were told they were not eligible for insurance.
Fewer of the uninsured cited reasons such as "philosophical opposition to the 2010 health law" or difficulties in sign-ups due to early technical problems in the healthcare.gov website.
"While millions have enrolled in coverage under the A.C.A. (Affordable Care Act), many remain uninsured. Though much attention was paid to difficulties with the application and enrollment process during the 2014 open enrollment period, logistical issues in applying for coverage do not appear to be a leading reason why people went without insurance in 2014. Rather, lack of awareness of new coverage options and financial assistance appear to be a major barrier," the report said.
"When asked in their own words, uninsured adults were most likely to name cost as the main reason they don't have coverage, and this pattern held even among those who appear to be currently eligible for low-cost or free coverage under the A.C.A."
Almost half of the uninsured seemed to be eligible for state aid on the exchanges, including 30 percent who likely would have qualified for subsidies to help pay for the premiums and 18 percent who likely were eligible for Medicaid.
Nearly six out of 10 uninsured who appeared eligible for coverage did not even try to sign up last year, citing cost as the main reason.
"Some who did not seek coverage were ineligible for assistance, but the pattern of the majority not seeking coverage holds even among those who are now likely eligible for help. Thus, despite the availability of subsidies for Marketplace coverage and comprehensive Medicaid coverage, misperceptions about cost or lack of awareness are barriers to reaching some eligible uninsured," said the Foundation.
Even as most participants in the poll did not blame red tape in enrolling, six in 10 eligibles said there is difficulty with at least one aspect of applying for insurance. This includes gathering all the required documents or submitting an application.
The survey, held between Sept. 2 and Dec. 15, gathered responses from 10,502 non-elderly adults. Majority of the participants were interviewed before Nov. 15, the start of open enrollment for 2015 Marketplace coverage.
There are around 30 million adults in the country who do not have insurance, 48 percent of whom are qualified for either tax credits or Medicaid, said Politico.
Many of the uninsured, such as undocumented immigrants, are not eligible to shop on the exchanges or receive subsidies, wrote CNN.
About 11 million adults obtained new insurance coverage under the A.C.A. last year, according to Politico.