Description

For all persons, PRIHORSR1 is a recoded variable which indicates the level of private healthcare coverage for hospital, and/or surgical and doctor's coverage. Information on plans for all family members was collected on up to five plans. For each plan, respondents were asked if the plan covered any part of hospital expenses as well as any part of a doctor's or surgeon's bill. Users may also want to see PRIHORSR2 which provides summary categories of coverage.

For all years for which PRIHORSR1 is available, private health insurance excluded plans which pay only for accidents but included plans which pay extra cash during hospitalizations.

Users are strongly encouraged to review the user notes Insurance Data Collection and Private Insurance Definitions.

Please use the IPUMS NHIS drop down menu and search functions for related variables.

Comparability

Apart from 1989, PRIHORSR1 is comparable over time. In 1989, respondents specifically instructed to exclude single service plans though such plans were rare before 1989. 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 IHIS weights.

Universe

Availability

• 1980, 1982-1984, 1986, 1989

Weights

• 1980, 1982, 1984, 1986, 1989 : PERWEIGHT
• 1983 : SAMPWEIGHT