One in six Massachusetts residents avoided obtaining health coverage in 2015 due to the cost, according to a survey from the state's Center for Health Information and Analysis.
The survey finds that the increasing prevalence of high-deductible health plans may be partly to blame. With insurance covering less care, and patients paying more out-of-pocket costs, individuals and families are feeling the heat.
"Massachusetts has experienced very high healthcare costs as compared to the rest of the nation," said CHIA Director Aron Boros. "It's really felt by families, despite the fact that we have one of the highest rates of coverage."
[Also: Quarter of adults struggling to cover healthcare costs, high deductibles]
At 3.6 percent, the rate of uninsurance in the state is much lower than in the rest of country, which sees 9.2 percent rate of uninsured. But, fewer people are seeking coverage, and the rate of insurance is inconsistent at best: Despite the low uninsurance rate, as many as 14 percent of respondents reported being uninsured at some point within the last year.
And even though 89 percent of the 5,002 residents surveyed said they had a usual source of care, and with a similar number indicating they had seen a non-physician practitioner in 2015, more residents are seeking emergency room treatment as their primary source of care, with difficulties getting treated when necessary.
"Emergency department use and difficulties getting an appointment as soon as one was needed were fairly common, especially for Hispanics, those with lower incomes, and those in fair or poor health with an activity limitation," according to the report.
While low-income individuals were most at risk, Boros said it's not the lowest-income individuals who are having trouble getting consistent coverage.
[Also: What to know about services that don't trigger high deductibles]
"It's the working poor, the lower-middle class," said Boros. "It's when you get into that area that people feel a lot of pain."
Fifty-five percent of uninsured survey respondents said the high cost of health insurance was their main barrier. Meanwhile, loss of eligibility for MassHealth and Connector Care came in second at 34.6 percent, and the loss of a job third, at 31.5 percent. Over a quarter, 29 percent, said they simply did not know how to get coverage.
Of those who sought treatment at an emergency room, 40 percent said they sought care for a non-emergency condition, slightly more than in 2014.
Despite the sometimes unsavory numbers, the survey wasn't all doom and gloom. Boros said only 4.1 percent of respondents reported trouble in securing mental health funding, and while he said that number is still too high, it's lower than in most other markets in the country.
He also pointed to the state's high insurance rate.
"It's great that we've been able to maintain such a high level of health coverage," said Boros.
Twitter: @JELagasse