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New Yorkers largely satisfied with new health insurance

WXXI File

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

Ninety-two 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. Eighty-four 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. Eighteen percent of respondents say they had a difficult time finding a clinic that would accept their insurance, while 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 15.