Fourteen out of 100 Americans think they’ll be able to buy pet insurance via the exchanges being established as part of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.
According to the results of a survey commissioned by WellPoint and published in April, only one in four correctly understand an exchange only will provide access to health insurance.
Further misconceptions about the exchanges among respondents include that they will provide access to disability insurance, 65 percent; life insurance, 52 percent; homeowners insurance, 34 percent; auto insurance, 24 percent; and travel insurance, 11 percent.
The latest WellPoint survey is further proof of consumer confusion regarding the exchanges—or about the law in general.
A poll from the Kaiser Family Foundation, also conducted in April, found that only about 60 percent of Americans believed that the law remained in place and was being implemented.
There doesn’t appear to have been any inquiry yet as to how these mistaken notions arise, or into how many believe they will be able to conduct online dating through the exchanges.
In fact, the exchanges are being set up by most states, through which residents will gain access to health coverage, and where they can already get information about the procedure. The federal government is handling that process in the states that have rejected participation. Open enrollment will take place between October 1 and March 31, and coverage can begin January 1, 2014. Individuals who refuse to enroll, unless they are exempt, will have to pay a yearly penalty to the federal government, as well as be responsible for covering all their own medical bills.
Date: August 28, 2013