Lack Of Texas Health Insurance Leads To More Emergency Room Trips

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Young adults are the most likely age group to lack Texas health insurance as they

transition between school and work at the same time they are moving from their parents' homes into independent living situations. The cost of paying their own way in our high-cost society often leaves little paycheck that can be spent on health insurance premiums after all monthly bills are paid.

Although young adults are typically a healthy population, they are pouring into emergency rooms in increasing numbers rather than going to outpatient clinics. These young adults get nearly twice as much of their care in emergency rooms as do adolescents and younger children.

When compared to adults over 30, young adults receive nearly three times as much of their care in emergency rooms, according to a study at the University of Rochester Medical Center.

The researchers used data from 17,048 young adult emergency room visits, and 14,443 young adult outpatient visits. The information was collected through the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey, and the National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey.
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Changes in Health Insurance in Texas to Help Young Adults

The investigators found that young adults without insurance or with public insurance were more likely to be treated in emergency rooms than were young adults who had private Texas health insurance. This may be a result of people without insurance feeling economic pressure not to treat medical conditions until the problems grow to unbearable limits.

Over the decade spanning 1996 through 2006, emergency room visits by young adults rose by an alarming 5,520,000 visits. By 2006, almost one-fourth (22 percent) of all the healthcare young adults received came through emergency rooms. That was true whether treatment was for injuries or illness.

With the Reconciliation Act, parents can continue to provide healthcare coverage through their health insurance policies for their children until the young adults are 27 years old.

There are other options, too, that often have lower-cost premiums. That includes low-deductible accident plans, short-term health insurance, and student health insurance. For as little as $22 a month, plans with $100 deductibles pay $5,000 and $10,000 worth of medical bills for accidents.

Healthcare Reform to Help Those with Pre-existing Conditions

At one time, accidents were a bigger threat to young adults than illness, but diabetes and obesity (which is associated with a range of serious health risks) have been growing in young populations at record-breaking speed. For young adults with diabetes, or any other pre-existing condition, coverage has been next to impossible to obtain.

Forty-five states have laws that let insurance companies refuse coverage to people who have pre-existing conditions. According to the HHS Health Reform Website, a national survey estimated that 12.6 million non-elderly adults with pre-existing conditions were denied health insurance just in the past three years. Another survey found that one in ten people who had cancer were also denied health insurance or lost their coverage after cancer was diagnosed.

In 2014, national health care reform will stop insurance companies from denying you health insurance if you have a pre-existing condition. This new law will provide health insurance to millions more uninsured people.

Until 2014, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is offering an alternative program that gives those with pre-existing conditions access to high-quality insurance at affordable premiums through a high-risk pool program.
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The out-of-pocket expenses for those who participate cannot exceed $5,950 per person. The federal government is funding this temporary program with $5 billion. The state of Texas will receive $493 million, and that's more than any other state has been allocated.

The funding for the high-risk pool program will be available to Texas this July 1st, but when people can apply depends on their state government. To apply, you also must be a U.S. citizen or national of the U.S., and, of course, you must have a pre-existing condition.

From this year forward, health insurance in Texas is going to become more accessible not only for young adults, but to all age groups.

by: Wiley Long

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