Some Consumers Await Health Reform Legislation before Choosing Coverage

With health care reform dominating the news recently, it should not come as a surprise that a December 2009 poll shows that when offered a selection between waiting for health reform legislation to pass or researching and seeking health insurance coverage immediately, 24% of adults surveyed would opt to wait prior to seeking coverage if they lost their coverage today.

The poll shows that of those that were uninsured, more than two-in-five (44%) would decide to wait for reform legislation to pass prior to seeking coverage. Among the insured, one in five (21%) would hold off, if they lost their coverage today.

The poll conducted by Opinion Research Corporation and sponsored by eHealth Inc. shows public perceptions about health care reform as Americans wait for reform legislation to make its way through Congress.

Study Reflects What Analysts Hear Daily

According to Gary Lauer, president and CEO of eHealth Inc., "This study reflects what we are hearing from people every day. While waiting for health insurance reform, some Americans are unsure what to do about their health coverage needs today. We believe health reform will happen and that it may hold promise for a better system, but consumers shouldn't risk going without coverage. Until reform is written into law and becomes effective, Americans need to know that there are already a number of viable health insurance options in the non-group market for individuals and families today."

The research goes on to show that there is considerable variation in people's expectations for health reform, and that a number of the expectations do not match up with the proposals that have been debated in Congress.

As an example, one in three adults surveyed (33%) believe new health reforms will be implemented and accessible to consumers within a year of the legislation being passed.

In contrast, important elements of the current Senate bill like guaranteed issue for adults or premium/cost-sharing subsidies in the individual health insurance market would not be take effect until 2014.

Key findings of the poll include:

• 68% of respondents claimed that if they had no health insurance presently they would research and look for new coverage options immediately; while 24% said they would wait for health reform legislation to pass before seeking new health insurance coverage.
• If they had no access to health insurance through an employer, spouse, parent, or relative, nearly one-third of Americans surveyed (30%) would go without insurance for reasons including: they can't afford it (15%), they would wait for health reform legislation to pass (13%) or don't think they need it (2%).
• When asked what they would figure to pay for a government-provided health insurance option, more than a quarter (29%) of Americans indicated they would expect it to be free or cost up to only $75 per month. Of those, 14% figured it would cost $25 or less. Separately, 31% expected it to cost between $76 and $250 per month, and 14% figured it would cost more than $250 per month.
• Overall, when you include those who thought it would be free, the mean dollar amount that Americans expect to pay for a government-provided health insurance option is $121 per month.
• One-in-three Adults surveyed (33%) believe new health reforms will be implemented within one year, with one-in-ten (11%) expecting new reforms within six months, and two-in-five (22%) expecting reforms to be implemented within the first year. Separately, 60% expected health reforms to become available only after one year, with many (21%) expecting changes in three or more years.

Additional insights from the survey include:

• Four-fifths of the adults surveyed (85%) note that they have health insurance. Almost half of those with health insurance (52%) have employer-provided insurance, while the remainder receive insurance by locating and paying for it themselves (15%), through another family member's coverage (14%), a government or community aid program (13%), or are not sure (5%).
• If cost was not a factor, most Americans surveyed would prefer to purchase their own health insurance plan (44%) or have their employer shop around, provide options, and buy insurance for them (36%). Only 15% of Americans said that they would like the government to provide their coverage.
• Adults surveyed were asked about strategies for using technology to decrease the cost of health care. They most opt for the ability to compare prices for services online (53%), the ability to comparison shop and apply for health insurance plans online (52%), and the ability to email their doctor (43%).