Commonwealth study: Unemployed skipping important medical services, highlighting importance of COBRA coverage

The report, out today, recommends that Congress extend COBRA subsidies through 2014.

Politico Pro: Report: Jobless Often Skip Health Care
The Commonwealth Fund is out Wednesday with a report that shows the unemployed are skipping out on important medical services and recommends Congress extend COBRA subsidies through 2014. The study found that 72 percent of people who have lost their employer health insurance didn't fill prescriptions, get recommended tests or see a doctor because of the high cost barrier. While employees who have been laid off can keep their health insurance through COBRA, many opt to not sign up for the coverage because they will have to pay the full premium. That leaves them only with options on the individual market, which is often more expensive than employer coverage. The study found that 60 percent of respondents who looked for individual insurance could not afford it (Nocera, 8/24).

Modern Healthcare: COBRA Important Option For Unemployed, Commonwealth Survey Finds
About 15 million working-age adults lost their jobs and health benefits between 2008 and 2010, and a majority of those -; 57 percent -; became uninsured, according to a new Commonwealth Fund survey. Of those who lost their health insurance when they lost their jobs, about 72 percent reported not filling prescriptions or seeking the health care they needed because of costs (Zigmond, 8/24).