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New Yorkers respond to a new poll on the State Health Marketplace

WXXI File Photo

Last month, Harris Poll conducted an online survey of 250 New York State residents new to insurance through the state exchange.

92 percent of those polled report being somewhat or completely satisfied with their coverage.

David Sandman, Senior Vice President of the New York State Health Foundation, says they were surprised by some of the results.

“We were surprised to see how much people are actively using their new coverage. 84 percent in the survey have used their insurance to get a range of health or medical services; things like prescription drugs, primary care, care for chronic condition, dental care and others.”

The situation is not perfect. 18 percent of respondents say they had a difficult time finding a clinic that would accept their insurance. 23 percent report difficulty finding a doctor who was accepting new patients.

Nearly 80 percent of those surveyed report they’ll need at least some help reapplying for coverage during the next open enrollment starting November 15th.

Michelle Faust, MA, is a reporter/ producer whose work focuses strongly on issues related to health and health policy. She joined the WXXI newsroom in February 2014, and in short time became the lead producer on the Understanding the Affordable Care Act series. Michelle is a reporter with the health collaborative Side Effects and regularly contributes to The Innovation Trail. Working across media, she also produces packages for WXXI-TV’s weekly news magazine Need to Know.