This is the second part of my contributions to the ongoing health insurance coverage conversation in the USA. Data geeks are advised to visit the Kaiser Family Foundation site for a state-by-state breakdown of insured and uninsured demographics as of 2015. Other information was obtained under Creative Commons License from the CDC, Wikipedia, and additional listed sources.

1. HEALTH INSURANCE
COVERAGE IN THE
UNITED STATES
(UPDATE ON THE
UNINSURED)

2. Contents
• Overview
• Types of insurance
• Estimates of the number of uninsured
• Uninsured rates by state (Children, 0-18 years old)
• Uninsured rates by state (Adults, 19-64 years old)
• Key facts about the uninsured
• Who pays for the uninsured?
• Health of the Healthcare System

3. Overview*
• About 325 millionAmericans
were covered by public and
private health insurances in
2016
• At least 27 millionAmericans
were uninsured in 2016
• %Non-elderly with employer-
based coverage ~56% (2010)
• %Medicaid recipients ~20%
(2015)
• Annual US healthcare spending
per person ~$10,345
• Health insurance refers to medical expenses, disabilities, long-term nursing, and
custodial care needs.

4. Types of
insurance
• Health Maintenance Organization (HMO)
• Preferred Provider Organizations (PPOs)
• Exclusive Provider Organizations (EPOs)
• Point-of-service plan (POS)
• High-deductible health plans (HDHPs)
• Health Savings Plans (HSPs)
• Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA)
• Health reimbursement rearrangements (HRAs)
• Short-term health insurance
• Gap insurance
• Affordable Care Act in August 2017

5. Estimates of
the number
of uninsured
• 28.2 million people are uninsured (CDC 2017 survey)
• This represents a decrease from 16% in 2010 to 9% in
2016
• Estimates were based on “lack of health insurance
coverage and type of coverage, having a usual place to
go for medical care, obtaining needed medical care,
receipt of influenza vaccination, receipt of pneumococcal
vaccination, obesity, leisure–time physical activity,
current cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption, human
immunodeficiency virus (HIV) testing, general health
status, personal care needs, serious psychological
distress, diagnosed diabetes, and asthma episodes and
current asthma”

6. Uninsured rates by
state (Children, 0 –
18 years old)
• “Uninsured” refers to people without
insurance or only Indian health
coverage

7. Uninsured rates
by state (Adults,
19 – 64 years old)
• “Uninsured” refers to people without
insurance or only Indian health
coverage

8. Key facts
about the
uninsured
46%
13%
11%
9%
7%
14%
Tried to get coverage, but too expensive
Did not think that the requirement applied to
him/her
Tried to get coverage, but was unable
Would rather pay the fine
Did not think about the requirement for health
insurance
Other
REASONS FOR BEING UNINSURED
Series 1
• High cost cited as main reason for being
uninsured
• Many do not have access through a job
• Some are ineligible for financial
assistance
• Some may not know about their options
• Undocumented immigrants are
ineligible
The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation.
The Kaiser Commission on Medicaid and the Uninsured.
Key Facts about the Uninsured Population (2016).

9. Who pays for
the
uninsured?
Based on a 1985 federal law,
emergency departments have
to stabilize and treat anyone,
regardless of ability to pay.
About $40 billion was allocated to
hospitals (byACA) for
“uncompensated care” this year
Uninsured may be billed directly, resulting
in a higher risk of subsequent bankruptcy.

10. Health of the
Healthcare
System
• Comparisons were made with countries of similar size and
wealth based on GDP and income per capita
Disease burden is higher; For
most of the leading causes of
death, mortality rates are
higher; Higher rates of
medical, medication and lab
errors
Lowest life expectancy at
birth; Fewer physician
consultations per capita;
Patients in the US have
shorter hospital stays