Newsroom

Fact Sheet: Health Insurance Coverage

CB09-124 Fact sheet
Aug. 3, 2009

Few issues unite Americans as much as the desire to have good health insurance coverage for themselves and their families.

The nation looks for solutions in coping with the rising costs of health care. The U.S. Census Bureau provides key information to measure the extent of health insurance coverage in America. In this fact sheet, we explore the various Census Bureau sources of data on health insurance coverage.

Current Population Survey (CPS)

Key Fact: Key survey for producing health insurance coverage estimates for the nation and for population subgroups.

• Respondents are asked whether they had at least some coverage during the previous year.
• Estimates are provided for the nation and states based on a sample of approximately 100,000 addresses in the Annual Social and Economic Supplement of the CPS. Coverage data are shown by type of health insurance (direct-purchase private, employment-based, Medicare, etc.)
• Data at the national level are shown for various demographic characteristics, including family status, race and Hispanic origin, age, metropolitan residence, income and work experience.
• National-level information for some groups, including American Indians and Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians and Other Pacific Islanders, based on multiyear averages.
• Comprehensive estimates first published in 1992, providing data on coverage in 1990 and 1991. Currently, the data are released each year, with data for 2008 available in early September 2009.

American Community Survey (ACS)

Key Fact: The replacement for the Census 2000 long-form survey, contains the most recent data on many socioeconomic topics for substate areas.

• The ACS added a question on health insurance in 2008. Data collected for this question will be released starting in September 2009.
• First release of data will be for areas and groups of 65,000 or more, including counties, cities and all congressional districts, as well as for the nation and states. Eventually the ACS will provide data for the nation’s smallest areas, such as census tracts and block groups.
• Health insurance question asks respondents whether they are currently covered by one of several types of plans (such as through an employer, Medicare, Medicaid).
• Largest survey: 3 million households annually
• Data are cross-tabulated by a variety of demographic characteristics.

Small Area Health Insurance Estimates (SAHIE)

Key fact: Only Census Bureau source of health insurance data for every county.

• Produces annual estimates describing health insurance coverage for states and each of the nation’s counties. A limited set of data was first published in 2005 for calendar year 2000; a broader set of estimates was released last year for 2005 data.  2006 data will be available in August 2009.
• Data products are model-based and combine data from a variety of sources, including the Annual Social and Economic Supplement of the Current Population Survey, Census 2000, the Census Bureau’s Population Estimates Program, the County Business Patterns data set and administrative records, such as aggregated federal tax returns and Medicaid participation records.
• Data are tabulated by age, sex, income and (for states only) race and Hispanic origin. The data pertain only to those younger than 65.

Survey of Income and Program Participation

Key fact: This longitudinal survey shows how long people are covered by health insurance or how long they go without it over a period of time.

• Data were first collected in 1984 and are released on a periodic basis.
• Provides national-level data only. Most recent published estimates on longitudinal health coverage cover 1996-1999 period.
• Data identify patterns of changes in health insurance coverage status over time and how they vary across demographic and economic groups. Information on type of coverage.
• Provides data on type of coverage.

National Health Interview Survey

Key fact: Data collected by Census Bureau but published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

• Data now available for 2008.
• Three national-level measures are provided: uninsured at the time of the interview, uninsured at least part of the year prior to the interview, and uninsured for more than a year at the time of the interview.
• National-level information shown by a variety of demographic characteristics, including poverty status, race and Hispanic origin, age and sex.
• State-level estimates of persons uninsured at the time of the interview are provided, as are estimates of those with public or private coverage for the 20 states with the largest populations.
• Health insurance estimates are available periodically from 1959 and annually since 1989.

Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS)

Key fact: Data collected by Census Bureau and other agencies but published by the Department of Health and Human Services.

• Began in 1996.
• A set of large-scale surveys of families and individuals, their medical providers (doctors, hospitals, pharmacies, etc.) and employers across the United States.
• Collects data on the specific health services that Americans use, how frequently they use them, the cost of these services and how they are paid for, as well as data on the cost, scope and breadth of health insurance held by and available to U.S. workers.