Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Rising Out-Of-Pocket Expenses Drive Up Number Of 'Underinsured'
The Associated Press: Study: 23 Percent Of US Adults With Health Coverage Underinsured
Nearly a quarter of U.S. adults who were insured all last year lacked adequate protection from big medical bills based on their income, according to Commonwealth Fund research. The nonprofit foundation estimates that about 31 million people between the ages of 19 and 64 were underinsured due in part to the out-of-pocket expenses they have to pay for care. That includes deductibles, or payments a patient has to make before most coverage begins. (5/20)
Marketplace: Even With Insurance, People Avoid The Doctor
Among people 65 and under, almost two-thirds are covered by private health insurance plans, according to the CDC. But that doesn’t mean health care is affordable. A report released today by the Commonwealth Fund shows that rising deductibles and other out-of-pocket expenses are a serious problem for more than 30 million underinsured working-age adults. (Douban, 5/20)
