By Jay Greene
Medicaid patients are the most satisfied with their health coverage and those with individual health insurance are the least satisfied, according to a new survey by the Center for Healthcare Research & Transformation in Ann Arbor.
“The most interesting findings are from the two groups who are likely to experience the biggest impacts of the Affordable Care Act – those who would be eligible for Medicaid and those who purchase coverage individually,” said Marianne Udow-Phillips, the center’s director, in a statement.
“While some are predicting that the new health insurance exchanges that offer coverage in the individual market will have a number of start-up issues, the fact is that those with individual coverage already face serious problems with their coverage today,” Udow-Phillips said.
“The new health insurance marketplace (that is expected to begin open enrollment Oct. 1) has the prospect of providing improved opportunities for those in the individual market.”
The survey, which polled 1,018 insured adults, was conducted with the Institute for Public Policy and Social Research at Michigan State University. Respondents were asked to rate their satisfaction and experience with their health insurance, based on whether they had Medicaid, Medicare, employer-sponsored or individually purchased coverage.
For example, those people with individually purchased insurance had more negative experiences, 61 percent, than those with other types of insurance.
Negative experiences included services that were not covered by benefits and people having to pay out-of-pocket for services that cost above what their insurance would pay.
Individually insured respondents were the least concerned about losing their coverage.
On the other hand, Medicaid recipients were the least likely, 41 percent, to report a negative experience with their coverage.
However, Medicaid recipients were the most concerned about losing their coverage.
“These results tell us that those with Medicaid coverage greatly appreciate it. They tend to have higher health needs, and so their coverage is valuable to them,” said Udow-Phillips.
A report by the center in 2012 showed that 90 percent of Medicaid patients had easier access to care than in the past.
“You see a positive trend for Medicaid in Michigan,” she said.
People who rated their coverage as excellent or very good often had an easy time in scheduling appointments.
“This survey busts some of the assumptions people have about health insurance in Michigan,” says Udow-Phillips.
“Medicaid is working well for Michigan recipients. And those who will buy their insurance on the individual exchange may see improved choices and coverage with the new qualified plans.”