What does the term 'underinsured' refer to?

The term 'underinsured' refers specifically to individuals who have health insurance but still face significant financial barriers to accessing care, primarily due to high out-of-pocket costs. These costs can include deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance that may be unaffordable for these individuals, leading them to delay or forgo necessary medical services. The concept highlights the inadequacy of certain insurance plans in covering essential healthcare needs, even when the individual possesses some form of insurance.

The other options do not capture the essence of being underinsured. For example, individuals with no health insurance do not belong to the category of underinsured, as this term presumes the presence of some insurance coverage. Comprehensive insurance typically provides broad coverage, diminishing the likelihood of a person being underinsured, while enrollment in Medicare does not inherently imply underinsurance, as many Medicare beneficiaries have access to adequate healthcare services.