A new Kaiser Family Foundation survey of people who buy their own health insurance revealed most Affordable Care Act marketplace enrollees are happy with their coverage, though concerns about premiums, deductibles and other costs have increased since 2014.
Here are six findings from the survey.
1. Sixty-eight percent of marketplace customers rate their current coverage as either "excellent" or "good."
2. Although concerns about narrow network plans have been in the news, large shares of marketplace enrollees are happy with their plan's networks, including their choice of hospitals (75 percent), primary care physicians (74 percent) and specialists (59 percent).
3. The survey found that 59 percent of marketplace enrollees were happy with their plan's premium, and 51 percent were happy with their plan's deductible. At the same time, 40 percent were unsatisfied with their plan's premium, and 46 percent were unsatisfied with their plan's deductible.
4. Since 2014, the number of marketplace enrollees satisfied with their plan's premiums and deductibles has decreased, while the number dissatisfied has increased. In 2014, 68 percent of marketplace enrollees were happy with their plan's premium, and 59 percent were happy with their plan's deductible. At the same time, 27 percent were unsatisfied with their plan's premium, and 32 percent were dissatisfied with their plan's deductible.
5. According to the survey, marketplace enrollees are now split when asked about their plan's value for what they pay, with 48 percent believing their plan provides "excellent" or "good" value, and 51 percent giving it low marks. That split represents a shift from the previous two years, when nearly six in 10 gave high marks and fewer than four in 10 gave low ones.
6. The survey also reveals a generally positive shopping experience for marketplace enrollees. Most believe it was easy for them to compare premiums (74 percent), cost-sharing (69 percent) and provider networks (61 percent). Fifty-nine percent said it was easy to find a plan that met their needs. Fewer respondents said it was difficult to set up an account this year than said so in 2014.
The survey was conducted Feb. 9 – March 26, 2015, following the ACA's third open enrollment period. It includes people in plans that meet all of the ACA's requirements for coverage and benefits, whether sold inside or outside the federal and state marketplaces, as well as the small share who remain in older non-compliant plans. The report includes findings about enrollees in all ACA-compliant plans.
More articles on finance and revenue cycle management:
Syncordia gets contract extension from Air Medical Group Holdings/REACH Medical Holdings
5 thoughts on the future patient financial experience from Simplee's chief growth officer
Alpha II receives CMS distinction as a 2015 PQRS registry