Focusing on South Carolina

Focusing on South Carolina

July 2009
Focus: The Underinsured


SC Statistics:

  • The underinsured population is understudied for two primary reasons: 1) there is no consistent definition of underinsured, and 2) most research focuses on the uninsured since they traditionally face the most significant barriers in accessing care.  However, research does exist, though only at the national level.  Approaching the question from varying perspectives and definitions demonstrates that underinsurance is a growing problem:

    • A Gallup poll in December 2008 showed that 21% of Americans struggle to pay health care costs (this is an increase of 3 percentage points over January 2008).i
    • The number of underinsured (defined in this study as those with health coverage that does not protect them from high medical expenses) has increased 60% between 2003 and 2007.  In 2007, there were 25 million underinsured American adults.ii
    • More than three-quarters of adult Americans with health insurance report worrying about medical costs, according to a February 2009 Harris Interactive/HealthDay Poll.  Cost concerns were the reason that 24% of insured and 51% of uninsured did not see a doctor for a specific medical condition.iii

Why is this a public health priority? 

As the recession puts a strain on consumers' budgets and the cost of health care continues to rise, many more underinsured Americans cannot pay the high deductibles and co-pays associated with their plans.  Therefore, many are delaying or forgoing medical care until it becomes an emergency situation.  This results in a higher cost of care and a strain on emergency rooms and other urgent care providers.

What is the role of SCPHI in addressing this priority?

Understanding the scope of this problem is critical.  As such, SCPHI is assessing available data and compiling a comprehensive report on the uninsured and underinsured in South Carolina.  That report—to be released later this summer—will summarize the existing data and provide an analysis of what information is needed in order to understand and address the challenges for our state’s population in regard to health care coverage.

Who are SCPHI’s key partners in this effort?

Office of Research and Statistics

 

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i"Poll Shows 21 Percent of Americans Struggle to Pay Health Costs,” USA Today, March 10, 2009.
iiSchoen C., Collins S.R., Kriss, J.L., Doty, M.M.  “How Many are Underinsured?  Trends among U.S. Adults, 2003 and 2007.”  Health Affairs Web Exclusive June 10, 2008 in George Washington School of Public Health and Health Services, Examining the Health Consequences of the 2008-09 Recession, January, 2009.
iii"Most Insured Adults Worry About Health Care Costs: Poll,” Forbes.com, March 9, 2009.