Underinsurance remains a major barrier to health care

Even among adults with employer-sponsored health care plans, underinsurance continues to be a problem in health care.

The Commonwealth Fund, in its latest biennial health insurance survey, found almost no change in the percentage of underinsured* adults since 2010 (“Underinsured” is defined as adults who were insured during the entire year, but whose out-of-pocket costs (excluding premiums) equaled at least 10% of income or, for adults with income <200% of the federal poverty level, out-of-pocket costs equaled at least 5% of income. In addition, anyone with deductibles equal to at least 5% of income was classified as underinsured).

For a detailed report and slideshow on the data, visit Medical Economics.