HOW WELL DO AMERICANS UNDERSTAND THEIR HEALTH COVERAGE

Data from two surveys are used in this DataWatch to explore Americans' understanding of their health insurance. First, data from a national survey of consumers are used to examine if people with private health insurance correctly report their coverage for six services. Second, in formation from an evaluation of a pilot project of subsidized insuranc e in New York is used to investigate how well newly insured persons un derstand their coverage. Based on these surveys, almost all privately insured people understand the basic elements of their insurance plans but underestimate their coverage for mental health, substance abuse, a nd prescription drug benefits and overestimate their coverage for long -term care. People who are newly insured in physician networks or heal th maintenance organizations seem uncertain about what services their plans covers and restrictions on their choice of hospitals.