Kaiser Family Foundation published a survey in May 2014 which says many women in the U.S. are more or less ignorant about the potential benefits of ACA.

1. Kaiser Women’s Health Survey
Finds Many Women Ignorant
Regarding ACA Benefits
While the Affordable Care Act (ACA) can help a
large number of women who face difficulties in
accessing health care in the U.S., Women’s
Health Survey by Kaiser Family Foundation
revealed that many women are ignorant of the
benefits brought to them by ACA. Princeton
Survey Research Associates conducted this
national survey for Kaiser Family Foundation,
which surveyed 3,015 women late in 2013. The
survey addressed various topics critical to
women’s healthcare and the changes women
may experience because of Obamacare. The
plight of uninsured, low-income and minority
women and groups of women was also
highlighted.
Key Findings
The survey examined women’s coverage,
accessibility to and affordability of care, their
connections to healthcare providers and use of
preventive services including contraception,
screening tests, and counseling services. Here
are the key findings listed in the Kaiser Health
News report.

2.  Though 18 percent of women aged 18 to
64 were found to be uninsured, minorities
and low-income women were found to be
more likely not to have coverage. At the
end of 2013, four in 10 low-income women
were uninsured compared to five percent
of higher-income women.
 Out-of-pocket costs were found to be a
major impediment to access care for
women than men as the survey found 22
percent of women aged 18 to 64 had not
filled a prescription or had skipped a dose
of medicine in 2013 compared to 12
percent of men (of the same age group).
28 percent of women had problems in
paying off their medical bills compared to
19 percent of men. As per the survey,
lower wages of women result in fewer
financial assets, less wealth and higher
rates of poverty.
 If we consider the case of preventive care
in the survey, 60 percent of women were
unaware of the fact that the insurers must
cover at least one preventive visit in a
year. Though 57 percent of women knew
that services like mammograms are

3. covered, only 34 percent of women in the
age group 18 to 44 knew that insurers help
pay for breast pump rentals. Around 33
percent of women were not aware that
now insurers cannot charge higher
premiums for women than men.
 While four in 10 women of reproductive
age had an HIV or STI test in the past two
years, half of them thought that the tests
were included in routine gynecological
visits. Even though 60 percent of women in
the age group 15 to 44 had recently had a
conversation with a provider regarding
contraception, only 50 percent talked
about sexual history while 34 percent
talked about HIV and 30 percent about
STIs.
How ACA Actually Benefits Women
 Without any additional costs, women get
access to important preventive services
such as annual well women visit, screening
for breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer,
smoking-cessation treatment and services,
breastfeeding support and equipment,
screening and counseling for interpersonal
and domestic violence and so on. It is

4. estimated that more than 47 million
women have guaranteed preventive care
access with no cost-sharing under ACA.
The healthcare law also insists on to that
cover all FDA-approved birth control
methods without any co-pays.
 No insurer can deny health insurance
coverage on the basis of a preexisting
health condition such as pregnancy, breast
cancer, depression or being a victim of
domestic violence. This will allay the
concerns of providers who find preexisting
conditions on patients’ records while
scheduling appointments. There are no
annual and lifetime dollar limits on
coverage as well.
 Obamacare health plans offer ten essential
health benefits, which include maternity
care. It is estimated that around 8.7
million American women currently buying
individual insurance will get coverage for
maternal services while most of them will
not require a referral from a primary care
provider to obtain obstetrical or
gynecological services.

5.  Lower-income women can get federal
subsidies for the plans purchased through
Marketplace. Under ACA, those who earn
up to 400% (up to $45,960 for an
individual and $94,200 for a family of four)
of the poverty line can get subsidy in
premium cost. Those who earn less than
250% of the poverty line ($28,725 for a
single person and $58,875 for a family of
four) can get extra subsidies for out-of-
pocket costs such as deductibles and co-
payments. The actual subsidy amount
depends on the income, age and location
of the enrollee.
Overall, the survey points out the need for
improving both provider and consumer
knowledge regarding the provisions of the new
healthcare law. Healthcare experts opine that
many providers don’t do the tests they are
supposed to do owing to this knowledge gap.
Not only will this gap limit healthcare access
for women, but it will also affect the providers’
revenue. Without insurance verification of
each patient having ACA coverage thoroughly
for federal subsidies, if any, they won’t get
proper reimbursement from insurance
companies. Kaiser Health News report says
that Cara James, director of the Office of

6. Minority Health at the Centers for Medicare and
Medicaid Services announced the launch of a
national campaign to reach women and
families on insurance benefits in June, which
will be really helpful to enhance awareness
regarding ACA benefits.