Survey: Even uninsured adults eligible for subsidized coverage cite cost as barrier

Seven in 10 adults without health insurance in March were potentially eligible for full or subsidized coverage through Medicaid or the Health Insurance Marketplace, according to the Urban Institute's latest Health Reform Monitoring Survey. About one in four uninsured adults had incomes below the federal poverty level and lived in states that have not expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act, meaning they could fall into the “coverage gap” between pre-ACA Medicaid eligibility levels in their state and subsidies for insurance coverage through the Marketplace. “In light of their state’s decision, these uninsured adults have few options for affordable insurance coverage, and continued support for the health care safety net will likely be critical in order to provide at least some access to health care for these adults and others who remain uninsured,” the authors said. “The high cost of insurance coverage is the most frequently cited barrier for uninsured adults, even among those who are potentially eligible for financial assistance with coverage under the ACA.”