It’s Not Just You: Many People Confront Health Insurance Obstacles on Care and Bills

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A recent report said the majority of Americans with health insurance face barriers to getting insurance, including denial of medical services, high bills and a planned shortage of doctors. investigation From KFF, a non-profit health research group. As a result, some people delay or even skip treatment.

Those most likely to need medical care, those who claimed to have normal or poor health, reported more problems. He three-quarters of those in mental health treatment experienced problems.

“The system is so complex that the consequences of care being delayed or missed entirely are particularly acute for those who are ill,” said KFF’s chief executive, formerly known as the Kaiser Family Foundation. said Drew Altman.

The survey also highlighted a persistent issue of affordability, as people struggle to pay some of their medical bills. About 40% of those surveyed said they had delayed departures or paid no attention in the past year because of expenses. People in good or poor health were more than twice as likely to report having trouble paying for health care than those in good health, and black adults were more likely to pay for health care than white adults. were more likely to answer that they had problems with

Why it matters: Delayed care can put your health at risk.

Nearly half of those who had insurance issues said they were not satisfied with the resolution. Some said they didn’t get the care they wanted, while others said they paid more than they expected. Of the nearly 60% who said they had difficulty getting insurance, 15% said their health had deteriorated.

Karen Politz, co-director of KFF’s patient and consumer protection program, said: “This research shows that having a card in your pocket is not enough. It is not fully compensated,” he said.

People have difficulty understanding their coverage and benefits, with over 30% having difficulty understanding how much they will have to pay for care or what exactly their insurance covers. I am reporting.

“Insurance is more complicated than it needs to be,” said Amanda Parente, 19, a college student in Nashville who has insurance from her mother’s employer. She recently sought treatment for strep throat, which surprised her when her out-of-pocket expense skyrocketed. She knew the out-of-pocket costs would be high, but “I don’t think we knew how serious it would be,” she said.

Background: Insurance coverage can be confusing for everyone.

Regardless of the type of insurance you have, the complexity of the coverage and benefits was similar. At least half of those who have private insurance through their employer, Obamacare, or government programs such as Medicare and Medicaid said they experienced difficulties.