AT A GLANCE
Health insurance coverage indicators from the Annual Social and Economic Supplement (ASEC) of the U.S. Census Bureau's Current Population Survey. The primary national source for estimates on public, private, and employer-sponsored insurance coverage.
Key Highlights:
- Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Current Population Survey (CPS-ASEC)
- Coverage: National estimates of health insurance status
- Variables: Public/private insurance, employer-sponsored coverage, uninsured rates
- Utility: Ideal for analyzing coverage disparities and policy impacts (e.g., ACA)
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
The ASEC supplement collects detailed information on insurance status across demographic groups. Researchers can examine disparities by income, race, age, employment status, and geography, and evaluate the effects of major policy interventions such as the Affordable Care Act.
Research Applications:
- Health insurance coverage disparities analysis
- Impact evaluation of the Affordable Care Act
- Demographic correlates of uninsured status
- Longitudinal trends in employer-sponsored vs. public coverage
Subject Terms: health insurance, Census Bureau, CPS-ASEC, public health, coverage disparities, United States
SCOPE & METHODOLOGY
- Geographic Coverage: United States
- Smallest Geographic Unit: Individual / Household
- Time Period: Based on ASEC survey year(s) — see data files
- Universe: Civilian noninstitutionalized population of the United States
- Unit of Observation: Individual / Household
- Data Type: Survey data / administrative records
Data Collection: Original source is the U.S. Census Bureau, Current Population Survey, Annual Social and Economic Supplement. Data hosted and maintained via the BSOS Data Repository platform.
CITATION
University of Maryland, College of Behavioral and Social Sciences [distributor]. ASEC Health Insurance Coverage Data. Originally from U.S. Census Bureau, Current Population Survey. BSOS Social Science Data Repository, 2026. https://bsos-data.umd.edu/dataset/asec-health-insurance-data
FILES & DOCUMENTATION
Available:
- ASEC Health Insurance Coverage (DataStore)
Planned Additions:
- Data Dictionary — Coverage type codes, income thresholds, demographic category definitions
- CPS-ASEC Technical Documentation — Sampling methodology and weighting procedures