Most people happy with Obamacare plans, but some fear they won't be able to afford costs

The majority of people who bought their own insurance plans under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act say their coverage is excellent or good, but also say they worry about being able to afford the monthly costs, according to a survey of people with non-group insurance released Thursday by the Kaiser Family Foundation.

"Most feel well-protected by their plans and express confidence in their ability to pay for their usual medical costs, but some evidence of financial strain remains," the survey found. "Nearly half of those in ACA-compliant plans say they’re not confident they would be able to afford to pay for a major illness or injury, over four in ten say it is difficult to afford their monthly premiums and over six in ten say they are worried that their premiums will become unaffordable in the future."

The survey found that for usual medical costs, 34 percent of people with ACA-compliant individual plans and 18 percent with non-compliant individual plans are not confident that they have enough money or health insurance to pay bills. Among those respondents, 44 percent said they are in fair or poor health.

For people having to pay for major illnesses, such as heart attacks, cancer or a serious injury that requires hospitalization, 46 percent of people with ACA-compliant non-group plans and 31 percent with non-compliant non-group plans said they are not confident that they have enough money or health insurance to pay bills. Among those respondents, 46 percent said they are in fair or poor health.  

There is also concern about future costs. Of those surveyed, 36 percent said they are very worried, and 26 percent said they are somewhat worried, that premiums will be raised to a point that they can no longer afford them. Also, 30 percent said they are very worried, and 28 percent said they are somewhat worried that they won't be able to afford the services they need.

Another 28 percent said they are very worried, and 25 percent said they are worried that their income will go down to the point that they won't be able to afford insurance. Affording prescription drugs was another worry, with 19 percent saying they are very worried and 24 percent somewhat worried about paying those costs. Among respondents who receive subsidies, 30 percent said they are very worried, and 24 percent said they are worried that their income will change and they will no longer be eligible for financial help. (Read more)