New Statistics on Individual Health Insurance Market

The Kaiser Family Foundation held a briefing with eHealthInsurance on the individual market on August 2. An important new report, "Update on Individual Health Insurance," was issued in conjunction with the briefing. This report provides some baseline information on the individual market so policy makers can have a point of reference instead of just relying on impressions and anecdotes when discussing individual coverage. The data in the report is based on actual sales made through eHealthInsurance, and includes information on age of the buyers, premiums paid by age and region, retention, and cost-sharing provisions. It finds, for instance, that nearly half of purchasers keep their policies in force for two years or more, with older buyers likely to keep it longer than younger ones. It also finds that premiums are quite affordable. The average is $147/mo for individuals, ranging from $87/mo for someone under 18 in the North Central region to $299/mo for someone over age 45 in New England. For families the average is $278/mo, ranging from $101/mo for an under-18 head of household to $542/mo for someone over age 45, both in the New England/Mid-Atlantic region.