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Report shows newly insured Americans use more medical services

A new report shows that Americans whose health insurance took affect after the Affordable Care Act was enacted have higher rates of disease and used more medica...
Holding hands, medical care from Thinkstock

(AP) — A new report shows that Americans whose health insurance took affect after the Affordable Care Act was enacted have higher rates of disease and used more medical services.

Medical claims from Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, the most common brand of insurance, show that newer customers have higher rates of diabetes, depression and high blood pressure, among other conditions.  The report reflects those who enrolled in 2014 and 2015.

Click here to read the full report. 

The report says those who enrolled during this time “received significantly more medical services in their first year of coverage” than those who had health care plans before as well as those with health care through their employer.  In addition, these new enrollees used more medical services like emergency room visits.

In 2015, the average amount spent each month on individuals who enrolled after the Affordable Care Act took effect was $559, as opposed to the $457 spent on individuals with employer-based coverage, according to the report.

” The findings underscore the need for health insurers, medical professionals and newly insured consumers to work together and assure the most effective use of health care services in every community across the country,” read the report’s conclusion.  To make it all work, the report advises consumers take advantage of preventative care services to improve their health, “and avoid unnecessary emergency room visits.”

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