Most Uninsured Lack ACA Knowledge, Haven’t Visited Exchange Site
A majority of uninsured U.S. residents know little about the Affordable Care Act and have not yet tried to visit an insurance exchange website, according to an Enroll America survey released Thursday, Reuters reports (Fagenson, Reuters, 1/9).
The survey of 910 adults was conducted between Dec. 12, 2013, and Dec. 22, 2013.
According to the poll, nearly seven out of 10 uninsured U.S. residents have not yet tried to visit an insurance exchange website. Further, the researchers noted that the federal exchange website's "'glitches' have not been a major barrier for the vast majority of uninsured in the country."
The survey also found:
- 81% of respondents were unaware of the March 31 open enrollment deadline;
- 69% said they did not know federal tax subsidies were available to help them pay for coverage; and
- 59% said they had no knowledge of health plans that might be available in their state (Easley, "Healthwatch," The Hill, 1/9).
The poll also showed that among minority groups:
- 43% of surveyed Latinos did not know about HealthCare.gov;
- 21% of Latinos said they had visited HealthCare.gov; and
- 25% of African-Americans had visited the site.
In comparison, 30% of whites said they had visited HealthCare.gov (Reuters, 1/9).
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