More than one in four Kentuckians have diagnosed pre-existing health conditions

« Back

Jul 25th, 2012

More than one in four Kentuckians have diagnosed pre-existing health conditions

New report reveals 920,000 Kentuckians will benefit from health reform law prohibiting insurance coverage denials and discriminatory premiums

Approximately 920,000 Kentuckians under the age of 65—more than one in four of Kentucky’s non-elderly population—have a diagnosed pre-existing health condition that could lead to a denial of health insurance, according to a report released today by the consumer health organization Families USA. These Kentuckians are among the 57.2 million people nationwide who could potentially face discriminatory health coverage practices.

But the implementation of the recently enacted federal health reform law will give these Kentuckians significant new protections. Starting in 2014, insurance companies will be prohibited from denying health coverage to people because of pre-existing conditions; from charging discriminatory premiums based on health status; and from denying payment for treatment of pre-existing conditions.

The report, “Help for Kentuckians with Pre-existing Conditions,” was co-released in Kentucky by Families USA and Kentucky Voices for Health. It shows that, while Kentuckians of all ages have pre-existing health conditions, the problem increases with age. The breakdown by age group of Kentuckians with a pre-existing health condition shows:

·      18.8 percent of those age 18-24

·      42.6 percent of those age 45-54

·      51.2 percent of those 55-64

In addition, although the proportion of children under 18 with pre-existing conditions is low compared to adult groups, 84,700 Kentucky children and 73,700 young adults – those age 18-24, have such conditions.

“The thousands of Kentuckians with health conditions, and the many others who at some point may receive such a diagnosis, are the people most in need of health care coverage,” said Jodi Mitchell, executive director of Kentucky Voices for Health. “Thankfully, the new health reform legislation will protect our fellow Kentuckians from practices that deny such critical coverage.”

The Families USA analysis reflects only those individuals with diagnosed pre-existing conditions. As a result the total number of affected Kentuckians – and Americans – could be understated.  Individuals who are uninsured or underinsured, and who cannot afford care, often do not seek treatment, meaning their health condition may not be diagnosed.

Kentuckians with pre-existing health conditions were from all income levels. Lowest-income Kentuckians – those with incomes below 100 percent of the federal poverty level of $22,050 for a family of four -- are most likely to have a pre-existing condition, with more than 30 percent affected. More than 25 percent of Kentuckians at higher income levels are also affected. Individuals in every racial and ethnic group in Kentucky also are affected.

“As this study shows, more than one-quarter of Kentucky’s non-elderly population will now gain protections that they need to secure affordable health coverage,” Mitchell said. “As more and more people learn about these new protections, we believe Kentuckians will appreciate the significance of the health care reform law to our state.”

Information in the report was based on data on health conditions from the federal Medical Expenditures Panel Survey and demographic data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s Current Population Survey (CPS). Families USA commissioned The Lewin Group to analyze the data. The report for Kentucky, with an analysis of the groups with pre-existing conditions in that state, can be found at: http://familiesusa2.org/assets/pdfs/pre-existing-conditions/Kentucky.pdf

A full description of the report’s methodology can be found in the Technical Appendix of the national report, available at: http://www.familiesusa.org/assets/pdfs/health-reform/pre-existing-conditions.pdf

Kentucky Voices for Health is a broad coalition of more than 50 organizations working to improve Kentuckians’ health and health-care coverage. The coalition’s leadership team is composed of representatives from AARP Kentucky, Advocacy Action Network, American Cancer Society, American Heart Association, American Lung Association, Catholic Conference of Kentucky, Covering Kentucky Kids and Families, Kentucky Child Now, Kentucky Council of Churches, Kentucky Equal Justice Center, Kentucky Youth Advocates, and the Kentucky Injury Prevention and Research Center.  Kentucky Voices for Health receives grant funding from the Public Welfare Foundation through the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky. 

« Back

Coalition Partners