One of the advantages of employee benefits is that the cost of premiums comes directly out of a worker's wages. Those who opt to buy coverage on their own must pay their own way.
However, for the millions of Americans who have signed up for a policy through the federal or state-based exchanges, many have not paid their first premium, according to The New York Times.
Approximately 20 percent of individuals who enrolled in January did not pay for their coverage, industry experts told the news source. As a result, even though coverage was supposed to begin in January, approximately one in five Americans had to pay out of pocket if they went to the doctors for medical services.
The news source noted that when the health reform law was rolled out, many people encountered a substantial number of problems either applying for a plan or when attempting to pay for it. As a result, President Barack Obama encouraged insurers to enact health plans, and beneficiaries could then pay retroactively. However, insurers say that many people still have yet to pay, even after payment deadlines were extended.
There are a litany of reasons as to why people haven't paid for coverage, experts told The New York Times. This may include those who changed their mind, deciding that they didn't want a policy even though they signed up. It may also stem from insurers not sending a bill to policyholders or individuals misplacing it.
Currently, the White House is working on an automated payment system, where enrollees who sign up can have the requisite payment deducted from their accounts at a predetermined. However, White House Spokesperson Jay Carney noted during a press briefing that the system was still months away from being completed, according to CBS News.
