Codes and Frequencies
Description
For persons who had Medicare coverage and/or private insurance, MCPRIHORS is a recoded variable indicating the level of coverage provided through either insurance plan, e.g., coverage for hospital or surgical expenses, both, or neither.
Interviewers provided a definition of Medicare to respondents (a Social Security health insurance program for disabled persons and for persons aged 65 years and older) and asked if the respondent was covered. Those who answered affirmatively were asked for their Medicare card to verify coverage and interviewers recorded the type. Respondents who could not (or would not) provide their card were asked if they were covered by the part of Medicare that "pays for hospital bills," and the part which pays for doctor's bills.
Respondents were then asked about private insurance coverage, which was defined as any other health insurance plan other than Medicare which pays any part of a hospital, doctor's or surgeon's bill. Those who answered affirmatively were asked if the plan paid for any part of hospital expenses and if plan paid for any part of doctor's or surgeon's bills.
For 1980 to 1989, private insurance excluded single service plans, but included plans which paid extra cash for hospitalizations.
Comparability
Apart from changes in the universe, this variable is generally consistent over time. 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.
One slight difference is that prior to 1989, respondents were explicitly instructed to exclude plans which pay only for accidents. Prior to 1989, there was no explicit mention of single service plans. The Field Representative's Manual for 1989 noted that such plans were a new and relatively rare form of insurance at the time.
Universe
- 1980; 1982; 1984; 1986; 1989: Persons who have Medicare and/or private insurance coverage.
- 1983: Persons in quarters 3 and 4 who have Medicare and/or private insurance coverage.
Availability
- 1980, 1982-1984, 1986, 1989
Weights
- 1980, 1982, 1984, 1986, 1989 : PERWEIGHT
- 1983 : SAMPWEIGHT
