A majority of adults--89%--who sought coverage in the individual insurance market during the past three years ended up never buying a plan, according to a new report from The Commonwealth Fund. Fifty-eight percent found it very difficult or impossible to find affordable coverage. One-fifth of those who sought to buy coverage were turned down, were charged a higher price because of a pre-existing condition, or had a health problem excluded from coverage.
The report also highlights the increasing cost burdens families are facing due to the decline in the quality of coverage and more cost-shifting to employees. Nearly half (44%) of those with deductibles over $1,000 experienced problems with access to care (didn’t fill a prescription; didn’t see a specialist when needed; skipped a recommended test, treatment, or follow-up; or had a medical problem and didn’t go to a doctor or clinic) compared with 25% of those with deductibles under $500. In addition, 41% of those with deductibles over $1,000 had medical bill problems compared with about 23% of those with deductibles under $500.
