Description

For persons without health insurance coverage, and, in 1997, persons without health insurance coverage for less than 3 years, HISTOP14 indicates if a reason for not having coverage was the person lost coverage through Medicaid or a medical plan after becoming employed or due to an increase in income. Respondents were handed a card listing possible reasons for no insurance and were asked to specify up to five reason(s) or could specify 'other'. For all years, individuals with coverage through single service plans were asked for reasons for no insurance, because those with single service plans were considered to be uninsured.

Apart from 1997, response categories listed on the card remained the same. HISTOP14 was not a recognized response in 1997, but respondents could indicate this through the "other reason" category. While the response, "lost Medicaid/medical plan because of new job or increase in income" remained the same for 1997 forward, other categories changed slightly between 1997 and 1998 forward. See the "comparability" tab for a discussion of these changes.

For related variables, please use the IPUMS NHIS search function and drop-down menus.

Users are also encouraged to review the user notes Insurance Data Collection.

Comparability

This variable is comparable for 1998 forward but changes in the universe and response categories reduce comparability for 1997. For 1997, the universe includes only those without insurance for less than 3 years and the response categories are slightly different from all other years. This variable is not comparable with variables from before 1997 indicating reasons for no insurance coverage.

Although the category "lost Medicaid/medical plan because of new job or increase in income" remained a consistent response for 1997 forward, other responses for 1997 were different than from 1998 forward.

Prior to 1997, persons may have had coverage public programs, such through Medicare or Medicaid (1976, 1980), through military coverage (1982-1989), or through some other health plan (1993 to 1996). For these years, questions on coverage through these other types of programs were asked about after the question on reasons for no insurance. In addition, for 1997 forward, the NCHS began editing responses regarding insurance coverage status (based on the plan name given by the respondent) to improve accuracy. The variables from before 1997 have not undergone this editing to improve accuracy and are therefore less comparable with those after 1997.

Universe

Availability

• 1997-2018

Weights

• 1997-2018 : PERWEIGHT