Starting with 2022 SIPP data, the health insurance “screener” (“_SCRNR”) variables (EPR_SCRNR, EMC_SCRNR, EMD_SCRNR, EML_SCRNR and EOT_SCRNR) are not being released on the public-use data file. These variables, derived from the Event History Calendar, may be incomplete annual indicators.

Instead, a set of recode variables are produced so that data users can more easily estimate annual health insurance coverage:

• RHICOVANN (annual health insurance coverage recode)
• RPRIVANN (annual private health insurance coverage recode)
• REMPLOYANN (annual employment-based health insurance coverage recode)
• RDIRECTANN (annual direct-purchase health insurance coverage recode)
• RTRICAREANN (annual TRICARE health insurance coverage recode)
• RPUBANN (annual public health insurance coverage recode)
• RMEDCAREANN (annual Medicare health insurance coverage recode)
• RMCAIDANN (annual Medicaid/Medical Assistance health insurance coverage recode)
• RVACAREANN (annual VA Health Care or CHAMPVA health insurance coverage recode)

In addition, SIPP data include a set of recode variables to indicate whether a person held that coverage type in a certain month of the reference year. In general, for estimates of monthly health coverage it is recommended to use these monthly recode variables:

• RPRIMTH (any type of private insurance monthly coverage)
• RPRITYPE1 (employer-related monthly coverage)
• RPRITYPE2 (direct-purchase monthly coverage)
• RPRITYPE3 (Medigap monthly coverage)
• RPUBMTH (any type of public insurance monthly coverage)
• RPUBTYPE1 (Medicare monthly coverage)
• RPUBTYPE2 (Medicaid monthly coverage)
• RPUBTYPE3 (VA Health Care or CHAMPVA monthly coverage)