Open AccessHealth Care Reform and Young Adults' Access to Sexual Health Care: An Exploration of Potential Confidentiality Implications of the Affordable Care Act
Author(s) -
Ellen A. Frerich,
Carolyn García,
Sharon K. Long,
Kate E. Lechner,
Katherine Lust,
Marla E. Eisenberg
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
american journal of public health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.284
H-Index - 264
eISSN - 1541-0048
pISSN - 0090-0036
DOI - 10.2105/ajph.2012.300857
Subject(s) - confidentiality , health insurance , health care , patient protection and affordable care act , patient confidentiality , health care reform , environmental health , family medicine , medline , medicine , nursing , health policy , public health , political science , law
One provision of the 2010 Affordable Care Act is extension of dependent coverage for young adults aged up to 26 years on their parent's private insurance plan. This change, meant to increase insurance coverage for young adults, might yield unintended consequences. Confidentiality concerns may be triggered by coverage through parental insurance, particularly regarding sexual health. The existing literature and our original research suggest that actual or perceived limits to confidentiality could influence the decisions of young adults about whether, and where, to seek care for sexual health issues. Further research is needed on the scope and outcomes of these concerns. Possible remedial actions include enhanced policies to protect confidentiality in billing and mechanisms to communicate confidentiality protections to young adults.