Description

For persons who did not have health insurance coverage (in the previous month) but had coverage in the past three years (through a public or private program), HINORSTOP reports the main reason why the person did not have coverage. Respondents were handed a card which listed reasons or could specify "other" and were asked to pick all that applied.

Persons may have had coverage through "some other plan", as this was a possible response category on the card. Individuals may also have received health care through Aid to Families with Dependent Children or Supplemental Security Income and such recipients were automatically covered by Medicaid. In other words, the individual was not necessarily uninsured.

Persons with single service insurance plans are not included in the universe (they were not asked reasons for no insurance). Individuals with such plans were considered to be covered by insurance.

Comparability

Apart from changes in the universe, there are no comparability issues. Changes in survey design (e.g., quarters in which the supplement was collected) may affect raw frequencies, but do not affect comparability of the variable. As always, data users should use the prescribed IPUMS NHIS weights

Users should not compare this variable with variables for reasons for no insurance for 1997 forward. Persons with single service insurance plans are not included in the universe (they were not asked reasons for no insurance). Individuals with such plans were considered to be covered by insurance.

Other differences which reduce comparability are changes in the universe. For 1997 the universe includes only those without insurance for less than 3 years and for all years from 1997 forward, those with single service plans are asked about reasons for no insurance.

Universe

Availability

• 1993-1996

Weights

• 1994-1996 : PERWEIGHT
• 1993 : SAMPWEIGHT