The CDC has been asking people “During the past 12 months, has medical care been delayed for [person] because of worry about the cost?” and “During the past 12 months, was there any time when [person] needed medical care, but did not get it because [person] couldn’t afford it?” Here’s what they’ve found over the last decade:
The good news is that this is lower than I would have expected. The bad news is it doesn’t seem the ACA has done much when compared to the effect of the economy.
mikethemadbiologist
Reblogged this on The Grey Enigma.
An interesting, linked, question would be whether the dearth of fiances that led to the decison to delay / forgoe treatment was associated with the payment of premiums or penalties for the ACA-mandates themselves. I suspect that this is in play based on the murmers I hear from folks: Premiums are up, coverages are down, deductibles are up. Thus, changes to med coverage:costs in the post ACA era are an incentive to pay more and use less. A real winner all around (unless you are an insurer). The obfuscating effect of the condition of the economy is something I had not figured in my guess.
ACA premiums are cheaper than getting individual coverage prior to the passage of the ACA. A lot cheaper. However – the difference is largely in the deductible – bronze plans have an average deductible (from a quick google) of $8700 – sure, you have insurance, but it’s not going to help you most of the time, so it’s almost like not having insurance, except you have to pay a premium, and it will help you in case of a catastrophic health issue, but not with, say, a broken arm.
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