For at least a decade, believing that coverage is unaffordable remains the number one reason for being uninsured.* Yet under the ACA, about half of uninsured adults may be eligible for Medicaid coverage (18%) or premium tax credits to purchase Marketplace coverage (30%), yet they don’t know about these options or don’t believe they qualify.**
Changing those those misperceptions to make consumers aware of financial help for health insurance requires a nuanced understanding of their beliefs and perceptions. This qualitative study from Consumers Union can help inform those efforts.
* See Rachel Garfield and Katherine Young. Adults who Remained Uninsured at the End of 2014, Kaiser Family Foundation, Jan 29, 2015 and Kaiser Family Foundation. 2004. Kaiser 2003 Health Insurance Survey.
** Fredric Blavin and Michael Karpman. What Health Insurance Coverage Changes Are the Uninsured Anticipating for 2014?, January 21, 2014