Codes and Frequencies
Description
For sample adults and sample children (and, prior to 2019, persons) without general health insurance coverage, HINOUNEMPR reports if the reason the person had no general health insurance was because of unemployment. In 2019 forward, HINOUNEMPR reports if the respondent does not have coverage because they lost their job. In 1997-2018, HINOUNEMPR is identical to HISTOP1. In 1980-1996, HINOUNEMPR reports information from HINORUNEMP with additional information about other types of health insurance coverage and public assistance to further classify persons as out of universe. In 1976, HINOUNEMPR reports the information from WHYNOIN and HINORUNEMP with modifications to the universe for persons who receive coverage through other sources.
Please see the Comparability and Universe tabs for important information on changes to this variable over time.
Comparability
HINOUNEMPR is comparable for 1998-2018. Changes in the how cases were classified as out of universe affect comparability before 1998. Major questionnaire changes introduced in 2019 can affect comparability with earlier years.
In 1997, the universe was persons who have been without health insurance coverage for less than 3 years. Other than 1997 and the quarter-specific availability of health insurance information in 1983 and 1993, all years have a broadly comparable universe of "persons without general health insurance coverage".
Prior to 1997, persons were handed a card and could report the reasons for non-coverage, or could specify other. Many of the reasons listed on the card indicate some other type of insurance coverage; questions about Medicaid and military coverage were asked about after the initial questions about health insurance coverage. IPUMS NHIS staff have created HINOUNEMPR to reclassify persons who indicate coverage through some other program as being out of universe for HINOUNEMPR.
Year-specific editing details
In 1993-1996, persons who reported being covered by another plan (HINOROTHPLAN), receipt of assistance through Aid to Families with Dependent Children (GOTAFDCPROG), or receipt supplemental security income (SSI) (GOTSSINOW) are recoded as being out of universe for HINOUNEMPR.
In 1982-1984, 1986, and 1989, persons who reported military health care coverage (HINORMILIT), had a Medicaid card (MCCARDTY), receipt of other public coverage, receipt of assistance through Aid to Families with Dependent Children (GOTAFDCPROG), or receipt supplemental security income (SSI) (GOTSSINOW) were reclassified as out of universe for HINOUNEMPR.
In 1980, persons who reported military health care coverage (HINORMILIT), had a Medicaid card (MCAIDCRDSTAT), receipt of other public coverage, receipt of assistance through Aid to Families with Dependent Children (GOTAFDCPROG), or receipt supplemental security income (SSI) (GOTSSINOW) were reclassified as being out of universe for HINOUNEMPR.
In 1976, persons who reported military coverage (HINORMILIT), Medicaid coverage (HINORMCAID), Medicare coverage (HINORMCARE) were reclassified as out of universe.
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
- 1976; 1980; 1982; 1984; 1986; 1989; 1992: Persons without general health insurance coverage.
- 1983: Persons in quarters 3 and 4 without general health insurance coverage.
- 1993: Persons in quarters 3 and 4 without general health insurance coverage.
- 1994-1996: Persons without general health insurance coverage.
- 1997: Persons who have not had general health insurance coverage for less than 3 years.
- 1998-2018: Persons without general health insurance coverage.
- 2019-2023: Sample adults age 18+ and sample children age 0-17 without health insurance coverage.
Availability
- 1976, 1980, 1982-1984, 1986, 1989, 1993-2023
Weights
- 1976, 1980, 1982, 1984, 1986, 1989, 1994-2018 : PERWEIGHT
- 1983, 1993, 2019-2023 : SAMPWEIGHT
