Health Affairs, 23, no. 6 (2004): 79-90 doi: 10.1377/hlthaff.23.6.79 © 2004 by Project HOPE	New Online   Pay Cuts For Medicare Docs   Access To Care Woes   Public Coverage More Efficient   Empowering Consumers

This Article Full Text (HTML) Reprint (PDF) Submit a response to this article Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when eLetters are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Services E-mail this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in ISI Web of Science Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to My Personal Archive Download to Citation Manager Reprints & Permissions Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via ISI Web of Science (6) Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Buntin, M. B. Articles by Yegian, J. M. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Buntin, M. B. Articles by Yegian, J. M. Related Collections Insurance Market Access To Care Business Of Health Consumer Issues Health Reform Insurance Coverage Health Spending

Future Of Insurance

The Role Of The Individual Health Insurance Market And Prospects For Change

The individual market is the only source of health insurance for the more than 20 percent of Americans not eligible for group or public health insurance, yet participation rates are low and shrinking. This paper examines this market’s structural features and assesses the likelihood that it will play an expanded role in the future. We describe how pressures such as cost growth, new technologies, and changes in the nature of the workplace are shaping the individual market. We conclude that the future of the market will depend largely on whether there are policy interventions that balance the problems of affordability, risk sharing, and adverse selection.

                      What's this?

This article has been cited by other articles:

				J. Gabel, J. Pickreign, R. McDevitt, H. Whitmore, L. Gandolfo, R. Lore, and K. Wilson Trends In The Golden State: Small-Group Premiums Rise Sharply While Actuarial Values For Individual Coverage Plummet Health Aff., July 1, 2007; 26(4): w488 - w499. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. V. Pauly and B. Herring Risk Pooling And Regulation: Policy And Reality In Today's Individual Health Insurance Market Health Aff., May 1, 2007; 26(3): 770 - 779. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. S. Banthin and D. M. Bernard Changes in Financial Burdens for Health Care: National Estimates for the Population Younger Than 65 Years, 1996 to 2003 JAMA, December 13, 2006; 296(22): 2712 - 2719. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]