Experiences of working-age adults in the individual insurance market: findings from The Commonwealth Fund 2001 Health Insurance Survey.

Most working-age adults have group health insurance coverage through an employer.Those without access to job-based coverage have the option of buying insurance directly in the individual insurance market.That market, however, is the primary source of insurance for only a small proportion of adults ages 19 to 64.To understand the reasons behind low participation rates,The Commonwealth Fund 2001 Health Insurance Survey asked men and women who tried to purchase plans in this market in the past three years about their experiences. Survey findings indicate that a majority of those considering the individual insurance market have found it unaffordable.Whether younger or older, with or without health problems, respondents reported concerns with benefits as well as plan costs. Reflecting these concerns, only about one-quarter of those who considered purchasing in the individual market ended up buying a policy.