New Report: Who are the Likely Consumers of the Health Insurance Marketplace?

"Thousands of Coloradans will soon begin buying health insurance through Connect for Health Colorado, the state’s new insurance marketplace. Uninsured Coloradans who will be eligible for subsidies through the marketplace are its most likely users. Colorado’s Health Insurance Marketplace: A Profile of Likely Consumers is a new report based on survey data from the Colorado Health Access Survey (CHAS) that describes the demographic characteristics of this group, and how they currently use health care.

Key findings show:

• Nearly one in four (24 percent) of those likely to use the marketplace are Hispanic.
• Most Coloradans (70 percent) in this group are employed, with 43 percent working for small businesses of 50 employees or fewer, and 27 percent working for large businesses.
• Only about half of this group reported having a usual source of care, compared to 86 percent of those who are privately insured. Forty-two percent reported they did not visit a doctor when they needed one, because of the high cost. This may mean that Colorado’s health care system could experience a period of pent-up demand once this group is insured.
• Half of the Coloradans in this group have a high school education or less. They will need assistance, education and literacy-appropriate materials to make the best use of the marketplace and the health care system.
• This group may not be prepared to spend as much on health insurance premiums as they will need to spend.

The report is available at www.ColoradoHealthAccessSurvey.org." [Source:  The Colorado Trust]