In the current health care discussions, the term “underinsured” has been often used. As the economy began its decline in the last few years, many employers, especially small businesses, were forced to find ways to cut costs in order to stay afloat. One area that was hit was the provision of benefits. Companies opted for less expensive health insurance coverage or reduced the employer contribution. As a result, millions of working Americans were insured, but had additional related costs.

Underinsured employees were seeing, and continue to see, rising premiums, deductibles and copays. More out of pocket money is being spent on health care related costs. As a result, the uninsured began altering health behaviors. As a group, they delay seeking medical care and will often go without care in order to prevent incurring additional medical expenses. They are not refilling medications as recommended by their doctors. They are not seeking preventative care. Unfortunately, these behaviors are actually causing an increase in the overall cost of health care. Care is not being sought until it is absolutely necessary, and typically, at this point, it is more costly as complications may have occurred.