Survey: 52% of Consumers Say Covered California Working Well

Nearly 40% of consumers say that Covered California is not working well, according to a survey by the Public Policy Institute of California, the Los Angeles Times reports.

The survey included about 1,704 adults who were polled between Nov. 10 and Nov. 17.

PPIC found that:

• 52% said Covered California is working well -- down from 54% in May;
• 39% of respondents said the state's insurance exchange is not working effectively; and
• 9% were unsure how well the exchange is working.

The survey also found that:

• 43% of respondents said they have a negative opinion about the Affordable Care Act; and
• 46% said they favor the ACA.

Meanwhile, 71% of uninsured respondents said they plan to enroll in a health plan to avoid fines for lacking coverage (Terhune, Los Angeles Times, 12/2).

Medical Trade Groups To Promote Enrollment

In related news, Covered California on Tuesday announced that 14 medical trade groups will help the exchange promote health insurance options during its second open enrollment period, which began on Nov. 15 and will run through Feb. 15, 2015, the Sacramento Business Journal reports (Robertson, Sacramento Business Journal, 12/2).

Participating groups will send letters and other materials to their members, which include about 100,000 physicians and more than 400 hospitals. Meanwhile, providers who are contracted with health plans sold through the exchange have been asked to display "I'm In" placards in their offices.

The participating groups include the:

• California Academy of Family Physicians;
• California Academy of Physician Assistants;
• California Association of Physician Groups;
• California branch of the American Academy of Pediatrics;
• California chapter of the American College of Physicians;
• California Hospital Association;
• California Latino Medical Association;
• California Medical Association;
• California Pharmacists Association;
• California Society of Health-System Pharmacists;
• National Council of Asian Pacific Islander Physicians;
• National Hispanic Medical Association;
• National Medical Association; and
• Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons of California (O'Neill, "KPCC News," KPCC, 12/2).