Experiences of Working-Age Adults in the Individual Insurance Market

Most working-age adults have group health insurance coverage through an employer. Those without access to job-based coverage have the option of buying insurance directly in the individual insurance market. That market, however, is the primary source of insurance for only a small proportion of adults ages 19 to 64. To understand the reasons behind low participation rates, The Commonwealth Fund 2001 Health Insurance Survey asked men and women who tried to purchase plans in this market in the past three years about their experiences.