Open enrollment for health insurance coverage in 2015 right around the corner. However, are Americans aware that open enrollment starts on November 15, 2014? According to the latest Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) tracking poll, there are some major gaps in the awareness of uninsured Americans, who the upcoming open enrollment outreach have been targeting. The KFF poll results revealed that 89 percent of uninsured Americans are unaware that open enrollment begins next month. Here are more key findings from Kaiser’s most recent poll.
Background on the Tracking Poll
The latest Kaiser Family Foundation tracking poll was conducted via telephone interviews from October 8, 2014 through October 14, 2014 among a sample of 1,503 adults ages 18 and older. The interviews were conducted in English and Spanish. The margin of error is + or - three percentage points for the full sample and 9 percentage points for the uninsured sample.
Uninsured Americans Largely Unaware of Upcoming Open Enrollment
Chart: Kaiser Family Foundation
The 89 percent of uninsured Americans who are unaware that open enrollment for individual health insurance begins in November included 76 percent who stated that they did not know when open enrollment begins and 13 percent who named a start date other than November 2014. In addition, the poll results revealed that:
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Two thirds of uninsured (66 percent) reported knowing “only a little” or “nothing at all” about the health insurance Marketplaces.
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Over half (53 percent) of the uninsured are unaware of financial assistance (premium tax credits and cost-sharing subsidies) to help low and middle income individuals purchase health insurance.
Most Uninsured Americans Plan on Obtaining Coverage Soon
Chart: Kaiser Family Foundation
Over half (59 percent) of the uninsured say they plan on obtaining coverage within the next few months. Of those uninsured Americans who plan on obtaining coverage, 15 percent expect to obtain coverage from an employer, while another 15 percent plan to purchase it themselves, either directly from the insurance company or through a Marketplace. One-fifth (21 percent) of pollees planed to get coverage, but were unsure of where they would obtain it.
Cost Remains a Barrier for Uninsured Americans
Chart: Kaiser Family Foundation
Almost four in ten (38 percent) of uninsured Americans plan on remaining uninsured. Out of the uninsured Americans who plan to remain uninsured:
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Eighteen percent do not think they will be able to find an affordable plan.
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Nine percent do not want to be forced to buy anything.
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Three percent would rather pay the fine than pay for health insurance coverage.
Source: Kaiser Family Foundation
