Article by Tia Goss Sawhney

Abstract:
This article enumerates some of the reasons for the discrepancy in purchase rates between auto insurance and individual health insurance. It then looks to the auto insurance market for insights as to how more people could be covered under in the individual health insurance market.

Background:
The Insurance Research Council estimates that 86% of drivers are insured. Meanwhile, the Employee Benefits Research Institute estimates that only 28% of non-elderly individuals not covered by public or employment-based plans are insured under individually purchased health insurance plans. Why do 86% of drivers buy auto insurance while only 28% of people who otherwise do not have health insurance purchase individual health insurance?

Published by:
This article was originally published in the March 2006 edition of Health Insurance Underwriter magazine of the National Association of Health Underwriters. Health Insurance Underwriter, however, only offers on-line access to recent editions.

The article was reprinted by Milliman in the Summer 2006 edition of Perspectives, pages 9-12:

http://www.milliman.com/expertise/healthcare/publications/perspectives/p...