Concerning Health Insurance Statistics
Health insurance has been, and will always be, an issue of debate in this country. Coverage for those less fortunate seems always to be minimal at best. The Commonwealth Fund Biennial Health Insurance Survey surveyed 4,350 people age 19 and older, and presented new information about health insurance coverage of Americans as well as the health and financial penalties and costs families face when they have breaks in insurance. The survey found that while the lowest-income families have constantly been most at risk of lacking or not having coverage at all. The same goes for those without life insurance. Also, more moderate and middle-income families are also in danger. One out of five adults under 65 years old is currently paying off debts from medical bills in past times. Those lacking insurance were certainly affected by this burden. The survey also found that those uninsured with chronic health problems like diabetes or asthma are very likely to skip medications and go to an emergency room or care center than are those insured.
The following include findings of the survey:
Growing Numbers of Uninsured People are in Middle-Income Families
41% or two out of every five employed Americans salaried between $20,000 and $40,000 didn’t have insurance for at least part of a year. That figure shows a large increase from 2001. In 2001, a little more than one-quarter of those with modest incomes had no insurance at all.
Adults with salaries less than $20,000 were most likely uninsured.
The majority of adults without insurance are a part of working families. Out of the estimated 48 million Americans who were uninsured in the past year, 67% had at least one person in the family working full time.
Most American Adults Claim Medical Bill Problems and Debt
One-fifth (21%) of employed workers, both insured and without insurance, at present have medical debt they’re paying off over time. Over 44% of these people carry $2,000 or more in debt.
Over 33% of individuals ages 19 to 64 have medical bill issues in the past year or are paying off accumulated medical debt. These issues include inability to pay bills, collection agencies contacting them about unpaid medical bills, or changing ways of life to pay the bills.
Three of five (62%) of all adults with medical bills or debt problems said they or their family member were insured at the time the debt was incurred.
Over half of individuals without insurance report medical debt or bill problems. Almost half (49%) used the majority of what they saved to pay their bills. Some were completely unable to pay for basic staples like food and heat, and rent because of medical bills. Many claimed confusion and difficulty understanding the different types of life insurance as well, looking to the possibility of early death and other monstrosities.
Medical rates, bill problems, and debt were highest amongst those in lower-income and higher-income houses who experienced a period of being uninsured. Of course, rates were most high among those with larger incomes.
Almost three of five adults with salaries of $40,000 or more claimed difficulties with medical bills and accumulated debt. 46% with higher incomes were paying down medical bills over time, with more than half carrying $2,000 or more in debt.
Those with a Lack of Coverage have Many Problems Managing Chronic Conditions
An incredibly high number, almost 60% of uninsured adults who have chronic illnesses, like diabetes or asthma, didn’t fill a prescription due to not being able to afford them.
35% of uninsured individuals having chronic conditions were admitted to emergency rooms or stayed the night in a hospital over past year because of their condition. That rate is just about two times the rate of those with insurance having chronic health problems. Those with these chronic health conditions also must take into account all of the problems that lie ahead. Many have to consider early death, the best life insurance for them, and how they will take care of their loved ones after they have passed away.
Individuals Experiencing Periods of No Coverage are Much Less Likely to Receive Preventive Care
Less than 20% of those without insurance ages 50 to 64 had colon cancer screenings in a five year period, compared to 56% of those insured all year.
Only 48% of women who are uninsured ages 50 to 64 had mammograms in the past two years, compared to 75% of women who had insurance all year.
Few adults who are uninsured receive dental care: about 35% of those without insurance had dental exams in the past year. That is half the rate of people with insurance for the full year.
Uninsured Individuals Often Experience Inefficient Care
Almost 25% of people reporting time spent uninsured over the last year said results of tests or medical records were unavailable at the time of an appointment they scheduled compared to 15% of continuously insured individuals.
Just about one out of five (19%) people who experienced being uninsured said he/he were given a duplicate test, two times the rate of duplication claimed by consistently insured individuals.
It is quite apparent, based upon the figures and statistics from this survey and from previous studies that the health care, not to mention the health and productivity of the United States population, is being vastly hurt as the country’s insurance problem continues to escalate. So many people are left to figure it out on their own, and it is simply terrifying. People can barely pay their expenses to live, let alone large medical expenses and so on. There are certain options that are available, such as short term insurance, but those with chronic conditions are often disqualified. While they struggle to find affordable life insurance to combat the biggest of worries, the day to day coverage is a huge issue as well.
Actual solutions that build upon group forms of plans and policies already in effect, such as Medicare, Medicaid, and federal as well as employee benefits plans, should somewhat help to fill the gaps with sensible and affordable coverage that help to link families and providers. Life Insurance can be equally as stressful, as those in need of help fear early death, lack of funds for treatment, lack of protection for their families, and so on. Preventive care measures, such as cancer screenings, blood pressure tests and cholesterol measurements, dental exams, as well treatment for chronic conditions, should be the shared reality of all United States citizens.
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