Poll: Only 18% of Uninsured Have Visited PPACA Exchange Site

Only a small portion of the exchanges' primary target population has visited or attempted to visit a government health insurance exchange website so far, according to a Gallup poll.

Out of the uninsured adults surveyed from Oct. 23 to Nov. 6, 18 percent said they had gone to or tried to go to any government exchange site since open enrollment began last month under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Of those who said they plan on getting coverage through an exchange, 22 percent said they had visited or attempted to visit a government exchange site.

Gallup previously found 44 percent of uninsured Americans who plan on purchasing coverage intend to do so through an exchange, and one in four say they will likely opt to pay the fine for not having insurance under the reform law rather than enroll in a health plan.

The findings imply the technical problems that have plagued the federal exchange website have generated little interest or use among uninsured Americans, according to Gallup. The federal exchange site, HealthCare.gov, has experienced numerous glitches since its launch last month. However, federal officials from CMS and HHS have said they are working around the clock to fix the site and vow to have it operating smoothly by the end of this month.

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