While the federal government is employing so-called "navigators" to spread the word about the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, a substantial number of young adults claim that they aren't aware of specific components of the health reform law – particularly the ones that relate to the insurance marketplaces.
According to a recent study performed by the Commonwealth Fund, a privately run healthcare information foundation, less than 30 percent of the 3,500 adults polled – all within the ages of 19 and 29 – said they were aware of the state-based health insurance exchanges. They're scheduled to open on Oct. 1.
The analysis was released by the Commonwealth Fund in late August, but the survey itself was performed in February. Thus, those who may have not been aware of it before may have a better idea of what it is now, perhaps due to the attention its been given in the news media.
The report also discovered that among young adults in low to middle income households, they tended to be the individuals who were the least likely to be aware of their existence. Only 18 percent of low-income adults indicated that they were cognizant of the marketplaces.
Kathleen Stoll, deputy director and health policy advisor for Families USA, told U.S. News and World Report recently that young adults are the individuals who have the most to gain from the exchanges.
"Because young adults are over-represented among uninsured and lower-wage workers, they will benefit the most from access to financial help for coverage under the Affordable Care Act," said Stoll.
Young adults appear to be more inclined to accept employee benefits when they're offered them, though. The Commonwealth Fund study found that more than two-thirds of adults under the age of 30 accepted this type of coverage when it was extended by their workplace.
