Policygenius: Most Americans Don’t Know Basic Affordable Care Act Facts, and 76 Percent Unaware Open Enrollment Kicks-off Nov. 1

NEW YORK, Oct. 31, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Almost 76 percent of Americans don't know when Open Enrollment takes place this year, according to a new survey from digital insurance brokerage Policygenius.

Most Americans also don't understand key components of the health care law. According to survey results, 78 percent of respondents can't identify the essential benefits their health insurance is required to cover under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Almost one-quarter (22 percent) don't know that kids can stay on parents' plans until age 26. And more than 18 percent don't even believe the ACA is still the law of the land.

"These results aren't particularly surprising. There's been a hostility from the Trump Administration toward the ACA," said Policygenius CEO and Co-Founder Jennifer Fitzgerald. "Slashing the advertising budget, shortening the enrollment period and introducing multiple healthcare replacement bills has introduced confusion to the marketplace. The lack of awareness regarding when health insurance enrollment occurs and what's required under the  ACA is a result of these actions."

Democrats Know More About Health Care Than Republicans
Democrats, Republicans and Independents are pretty evenly matched in knowing when Open Enrollment is (at about 24 percent each). But Democrats demonstrate a clearer understanding of health care law details across the board.

• Democrats are more likely (29 percent) than other political affiliations (18 percent of Republicans and 21 percent of Independents) to correctly identify the health benefits the ACA requires insurers to cover.
• Democrats are also more likely (45 percent) to understand all key provisions of the ACA compared to those across the aisle (35 percent of Republicans, 37 percent of Independents)
• Democrats are most likely (87.2 percent) to know the ACA is still the law of the land (81.9 percent Independents, 76.4 percent Republicans)

Policygenius commissioned Google Consumer Surveys to survey a nationally representative sample of 1,500 adults ages 25 to 64 online from October 10 to October 12, 2017. The survey's margin of error is between 3 percent and 5 percent. You can see the full survey results here.

About Policygenius: Policygenius is an independent online insurance marketplace helping people get the coverage they need — and feel good about it. We want people to feel informed about what they're shopping for, so we get rid of all the jargon and actually make personal finance fun. And when it's time to shop for and buy coverage for any aspect of life — from health and life insurance to pet and renters insurance — consumers feel ready.

For more information:
Brooke NiemeyerPartnerships Manager
brooke.niemeyer@policygenius.com 

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SOURCE Policygenius