Objectives. To share findings from an in-depth analysis of health insurance survey data and to discuss the importance of identifying issues related these data. Overview. Staff from the SLAITS (State and Local Area Integrated Telephone Survey) program of the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) will discuss health insurance estimates from various data sources within NCHS and from other sources. Differences related to survey methodology – specifically random digit dial telephone surveys using data from recent SLAITS modules versus in-person interviews from the National Health Interview Survey. Survey methodologies such as weighting strategies and post-stratification activities used by other surveys will be compared to those employed by the NCHS. Results. Recent surveys show that the number of uninsured has decreased over the past few years, with some of the decline attributed to the implementation of the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (S-CHIP). However, other reasons for the decline of the uninsured and inconsistent estimates regarding types of insurance are explored in this study. Respondent confusion regarding health benefits requires special attention to questionnaire wording, methodological design and data collection systems. For example, some SCHIP programs have marketed their products so well that many respondents feel they have private insurance rather than public assistance. See www.cdc.gov/nchs
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant will be able to: articulate issues related to data collection and analysis of health insurance information; recognize limitations of health insurance data; and scrutinize existing data with better insight .
Keywords: Sustainability, Insurance
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Centers for Disease Control, National Center for Health Statistics
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: Employment