CHIA Publishes Research Brief on Health Care Affordability Issues

DATE: April 18, 2019

The Center for Health Information and Analysis (CHIA) today published Affordability Issues Persist Despite Near Universal Health Insurance Coverage: Findings from the Massachusetts Health Insurance Survey, 2017. 

This brief examines health care affordability issues faced by Massachusetts residents with health insurance coverage and the rates of affordability issues for various population subgroups. CHIA found that 43% of insured residents reported an affordability issue over the prior 12 months, including unmet health care needs due to cost, family medical debt, and high family spending on out of pocket expenses. 

CHIA is currently preparing the next Massachusetts Health Insurance Survey for calendar year 2019, which will provide the most current information on health insurance coverage, health care access and use, and health care affordability for Massachusetts residents.