Underinsurance Remains Major Problem for Millions in U.S., Study Finds
Thirty-one million people in the United States were underinsured in 2014, according to a new Commonwealth Fund study. The proportion of Americans with health insurance all year but also high deductibles or out-of-pocket expenses relative to income was statistically unchanged since 2010, after nearly doubling between 2003 and 2010. <br />
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The consequences of being underinsured are significant. For example, half of survey respondents falling within this group had problems paying their medical bills or were paying off medical debt over time. Others reported being contacted by a collection agency over unpaid medical bills.<br />
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Many Americans with health insurance through their jobs are underinsured, as employers, particularly smaller firms, are sharing more of their health care costs with workers, especially in the form of higher deductibles.<br /><br />
The study, based on findings from The Commonwealth Fund’s Biennial Health Insurance Survey, could not separately assess the effects of the Affordable Care Act on underinsurance. That’s because survey respondents insured all year had coverage that began prior to the law taking effect.<br />
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