Description

For sample adults and sample children, NOTCARCOST reports if the respondent did not get medical care in the past 12 months because getting care cost too much. In 1987, NOTCARCOST was asked of sample persons ages 18 and older who needed medical care or advice in the past 12 months but did not get care.

Comparability

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.

There were slight changes in the questionnaire text over time. In 1987, sample persons aged 18 and older who needed medical care or advice in the past 12 months but did not get care were asked a follow up question about why they did not get the care they needed. The respondent could have indicated one or more of the following reasons: procrastination/put it off, did not have health insurance, care was not available when needed, costs too much, didn't know where to go, didn't know what kind of doctor to see, didn't have a way to get there, hours not convenient, fear of being treated rudely or unkindly, or other. Beginning in 2019, all sample adults were asked "During the past 12 months, was there any time when you needed medical care, but DID NOT GET IT because of the cost?" and sample children were asked "During the past 12 months, was there any time when ^SCNAME needed medical care, but DID NOT GET IT because of the cost?"

The NHIS questionnaire was substantially redesigned in 2019 to introduce a different data collection structure and new content. For more information on changes in terminology, universes, and data collection methods beginning in 2019, please see the user note.

Universe

Availability

• 1987, 2019-2020, 2024

Weights

• 1987, 2019-2020, 2024 : SAMPWEIGHT