Health Insurance Literacy Memo and Resources

While millions of Americans have newly gained health insurance coverage under the ACA, there is evidence that coverage alone does not necessarily translate into access to health care. This memo provides background information on health insurance literacy, summarizes the research around current consumer knowledge, and offers recommendations on how marketplaces can increase health insurance literacy. Additionally, the State Health Reform Assistance Network has compiled a library of health insurance literacy materials developed by four marketplaces. These resources are intended to serve as examples of what marketplaces can provide to consumers and to groups working on improving health insurance literacy and boosting enrollment.