FACT CHECK: The Individual Insurance Market
Posted by The Campaign on July 21, 2009 at 10:58 AM
FACT CHECK: The Individual Insurance Market
89% of individuals applying for coverage in the individual market were offered coverage.
Consumers in the individual market were offered a wide range of benefits, including mental or behavioral health, prescription drugs, preventive, and maternity benefits.
Forty percent of these offers were at standard premium rates and 49 percent were offered at lower (preferred) rates.
Inpatient and outpatient behavioral health and substance abuse benefits were included in approximately 85 percent of policies purchased.
For more facts on the individual insurance market, check out AHIP’s study: “Individual Health Insurance 2006-2007: A Comprehensive Survey of Premiums, Availability, and Benefits”.
The individual market is an important source of quality, affordable coverage for millions of Americans. But it needs to be improved to make sure no on falls through the cracks. Health plans have proposed new market rules and consumer protections including:
- Guaranteed coverage for pre-existing conditions,
- Discontinuing rating based on health status or gender,
- Ensuring continuity of care and portability of coverage, and
- Ensuring all Americans are covered with a personal coverage requirement.
To read more about AHIP’s proposals click here.
