Childless Adults: Barriers to Enrollment in Public Health Coverage

This United Hospital Fund report is a qualitative study of uninsured New Yorkers who are eligible for public coverage, but not enrolled. The study, which involved focus groups and interviews with professionals who work closely with this population, suggests ways to lessen obstacles in obtaining health insurance, including raising awareness about the importance and availability of health insurance, and simplifying the eligibility determination process.

Of the adults who were eligible for public health insurance and not insured in New York State in 2005, 70% had no children. This report focuses on that population: childless adults, noncustodial parents, or parents of children who are over the age of 18. The research found that members of this population in New York City face many of the same barriers that hinder enrollment for eligible populations; however, several additional barriers—such as perception of eligibility, income, and employment status—are specific to childless adults. The findings of this research suggest a number of policy and practice changes that could help address the low enrollment of childless adults in particular, including:

• increasing publicity on the value and importance of health insurance;
• increasing publicity about the availability of public health insurance for childless adults with low incomes; and
• implementing the 12-month continuous eligibility requirement for adults and advocating for the elimination of reporting requirements for changes in eligibility during that period.

Read the report.