The Added Cost of Care for the Uninsured in Colorado
June 15, 2005
Nearly 48 million Americans will be uninsured for the entire year in 2005. What happens when some of these 48 million Americans get sick? Research has shown that the uninsured often put off getting care for health problems-or forgo care altogether. When the symptoms can no longer be ignored, the uninsured do see doctors and go to hospitals. Without insurance to pay the tab, the uninsured struggle to pay as much as they can: More than one-third (35 percent) of the total cost of health care services provided to people without health insurance is paid out-of-pocket by the uninsured themselves.
Who pays the rest? Families USA answers this question in Paying a Premium: The Added Cost of Care for the Uninsured. The remaining sum (almost $43 billion in 2005) is primarily paid by two sources: Roughly one-third is covered by a number of government programs, but two-thirds is paid by people with health insurance through higher premiums.
Across the nation, the premium costs for family health insurance coverage provided by private employers will include an extra $922 in 2005 due to the cost of care for the uninsured; premiums for individual coverage will cost an extra $341.
What does this mean for Coloradans?
Health Insurance Premiums on the Rise
- In 2005, health insurance premiums in Colorado for a family with private, employer-sponsored coverage are $934 higher due to the unpaid cost of health care for the uninsured. Premiums for individual health insurance coverage in Colorado are $355 higher in 2005.
- By 2010, health insurance premiums for families in Colorado with private, employer-sponsored coverage will be $1,570 higher due to the unpaid cost of health care for the uninsured. Premiums for individual health insurance coverage in Colorado will be $576 higher in 2010.
Uncovered Costs
- In Colorado, the cost of health care for the uninsured not paid out-of-pocket by the uninsured will be nearly $714 million in 2005.
- By 2010, the cost of health care for the uninsured not paid out-of-pocket by the uninsured in Colorado will be more than $999 million.
A Growing Problem
- More people are becoming uninsured in Colorado each year. In 2005, 781,000 Coloradans will be uninsured for the entire year.
- By 2010, 857,000 Coloradans will be uninsured for the entire year.
For tables, see PDF version.
[Return to top]
Families USA, 1201 New York Avenue NW, Suite 1100,
Washington, DC 20005
202-628-3030 www.familiesusa.org
