Understanding the associations of insurance coverage disruptions with access and affordability is especially relevant with recent increases in unemployment.

Many U.S. workers have experienced disruptions in health insurance coverage during the economic slowdown caused by the pandemic. Coverage disruptions are especially common among the poor and those with Medicaid coverage.

Even brief coverage disruptions can have a significant impact on health, according to a new study reported in the "American Journal of Preventive Medicine." Earlier studies found that a single loss of coverage of one month or more was associated with being less likely to have a usual place for care, having worse access to care, more emergency department use and declines in overall health.