Under-Insurance Survey: Preliminary Results

This page is just a preliminary report on the statistical results.  I am still examining the many comments that were submitted in association with this survey, which also may provide valuable insight into what I believe is a growing problem that relatively few have acknowledged.

The survey was conducted between approximately May 23 and July 5, 2002.  It was offered by e-mail, online via Zoomerang, and online from my own web site.

A total of 32 people responded, 30 of whom (93.75%) reported having health coverage of some kind.  Following is a closer look at these responses.
 

COVERAGE SOURCES: Number (% of those with coverage) 

1. Job: 11 (37%)
2. Individual/private: 3 (10%)
3. Medicare: 16 (53.3%)
[Note: 10 of Medicare recipients also have Medicaid.]
4. Medicaid: 12 (40%)
[Note: 10 of Medicaid recipients also have Medicare.]

TYPE OF COVERAGE: Number (% of those with coverage) 

1. Traditional (fee-for-service): 10 (33.3%) [2 also have HMO coverage and are on both Medicare and Medicaid]
2. PPO: 5 (16.7%)
3. HMO: 12 (40%)

GAPS (OVERALL TOTALS) 

Number insured=30
Number with coverage gaps=22 (73.3% of those covered)]

1. Prescription drugs: 15 (50.00%) of those with coverage; 68.2% of 22 with   coverage gaps)
2. DME: 13 (43.3% of those with coverage; 59.1% of those with coverage gaps) 
3. Rehab: 9 (30% of those with coverage; 40.9% of those with coverage gaps) 
4. Orthotics/prosthetics: 9 (30% of those with coverage; 40.9%  of those with     coverage gaps)
5. Mental health: 6 (20% of those with coverage;  27.3% of those with coverage   gaps)
6. Specialty care: 10 (33% of those with coverage; 45.5% of those with coverage gaps)
7. Other: 11 (36.7% of those with coverage; 50% of those with coverage gaps)     Other gaps mentioned include hearing aids, dental care, chiropractic.

GAPS BY COVERAGE SOURCE 

     2.   All Medicare [Medicare Total=16]
               a.   Prescription drugs: 7/16 (43.8%)
               b.   Durable Medical Equipment: 6/16 (37.5%)
               c.   Rehabilitation: 2/16 (12.5%)
               d.   Orthotics/prosthetics: 5/16 (31.25%)
               e.   Mental Health: 3/16 (18.75%)
               f.   Specialty care: 5/16 (31.25%)
               g.   Other: 4/16 (25%)

     3.   All Medicaid: [Medicaid total=12]
               a.   Prescription drugs: 5/12 (41.7%)
               b.   Durable Medical Equipment: 6/12 (50%)
               c.   Rehabilitation: 2/12 (16.67%)
               d.   Orthotics/prosthetics: 3/12 (25%)
               e.   Mental Health: 2/12 (16.67%)
               f.   Specialty care: 4/12 (33.33%)
               g.   Other: 4/12 (33.33%

    4.   Medicare and Medicaid (Total of those with both Medicare and
Medicaid = 10.)
               a.   Prescription drugs: 3/10 (30%)
               b.   Durable Medical Equipment: 4/10 (40%)
               c.   Rehabilitation: 1/10 (10%)
               d.   Orthotics/prosthetics: 3/10 (30%)
               e.   Mental Health: 2/10 (20.00%)
               f.   Specialty care: 3/10 (30.00%)
               g.   Other: 3/10 (30.00%

    5. Medicare, Medicaid and Private Coverage (two with job-based coverage, one with individual coverage in addition to Medicare and Medicaid): In all categories of health coverage gaps, one  person who had  Medicare, Medicaid and  individual
coverage reported a gap in coverage. No such gaps were reported by those with
Medicare, Medicaid and job-based coverage.

GAPS BY COVERAGE TYPE

I will continue to review both the statistical results of this survey and the comments that were submitted.  The survey certainly shows that having health insurance (whether traditional or managed care) is no guarantee of having coverage for needed health-care items and services.