Despite ACA cost protections, most adolescents skip regular checkups

"Before the health law passed in 2010, caregivers reported that 41 percent of children had a well-child visit in the previous year. After the ACA's preventive services protections became effective, typically in 2011, the rate climbed to 48 percent, a "moderate" increase, Adams said. The increase was greatest for minority and low-income groups.

Still, more than half of children in the survey didn't go to the doctor for routine care over the course of a year, even though many families gained insurance and wouldn't have owed anything for the visits."