More adults are foregoing medical care or health insurance because they can't afford it, according to studies by the New York-based Commonwealth Fund and D.C.-based Families USA.
The studies, reported in American Medical News, found that the economic recession has driven patients out of physician offices. The Commonwealth Fund study found the number of uninsured adults rose over the last decade from 38 million to an estimated 52 million, representing 28 percent of the working-age population.
The study also found that 70 percent of adults who tried to buy coverage in the individual market over the past three years struggled to find affordable plans that met their needs. Nine million patients were turned down, charged more or had a condition excluded from coverage due to a pre-existing condition.
The Families USA study found that out-of-pocket costs are becoming more burdensome. In 2011, 15 million Americans younger than 65 are expected to spend a combined $24.7 billion above cap levels.
Read the American Medical News report on medical care.
Read more on patient insurance:
-Companies May Eventually Push Employees to Exchanges, HHS Says
-Cost of Reform Unclear Until Benefits Are Defined
The studies, reported in American Medical News, found that the economic recession has driven patients out of physician offices. The Commonwealth Fund study found the number of uninsured adults rose over the last decade from 38 million to an estimated 52 million, representing 28 percent of the working-age population.
The study also found that 70 percent of adults who tried to buy coverage in the individual market over the past three years struggled to find affordable plans that met their needs. Nine million patients were turned down, charged more or had a condition excluded from coverage due to a pre-existing condition.
The Families USA study found that out-of-pocket costs are becoming more burdensome. In 2011, 15 million Americans younger than 65 are expected to spend a combined $24.7 billion above cap levels.
Read the American Medical News report on medical care.
Read more on patient insurance:
-Companies May Eventually Push Employees to Exchanges, HHS Says
-Cost of Reform Unclear Until Benefits Are Defined