The study, published April 3, studied enrollees in individual plans on and off the ACA Exchange, across bronze, silver, gold and platinum plans.
Between 21 percent and 61 percent of ACA participants paid out of pocket for care associated with preventive services required to be covered at no cost under the ACA.
Colonoscopies had the highest rates of out-of-pocket costs, with 56 percent to 62 percent of members across metal tiers paying costs associated with the procedure. Anesthesia for colonoscopies cost plan members an average of $324.
The study was authored by researchers at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia; Nashville, Tenn.-based Vanderbilt University; Durham, N.C.-based Duke University; and the Wakely Consulting Group in Tampa, Fla.
An expanded definition of preventive care could cut down on costs associated with services intended to be covered at no cost under the ACA, the study’s authors concluded.
Read more here.
