Definition

The percentage of Arizona children (zero to age 17) who have public health insurance coverage (KidsCare (CHIP), AHCCCS (Medicaid) or Indian Health Services).

Please note: As of 2017, Census collects data on children age 18 and under with public health insurance. Prior to 2017, Census collected data on children age 17 and under with public health insurance. Thus, all reported data prior to 2017 includes data for children 17 and under.
Health Insurance Coverage

In 2008, the American Community Survey began asking about current health insurance

coverage. Data on health insurance coverage were derived from answers to Question 15,

which was asked of all respondents. were instructed to report their current

coverage and to mark “yes” or “no” for each of the eight types listed (labeled as parts 15a to

15h).

15a: Insurance through a current or former employer or union (of this person or another family

member)

15b: Insurance purchased directly from an insurance company (by this person or another family

member)

15c: Medicare, for people 65 and older, or people with certain disabilities

15d: Medicaid, Medical Assistance, or any kind of government-assistance plan for those with

low incomes or a disability

15e: TRICARE or other military health care

15f: VA (including those who have ever used or enrolled for VA health care)

15g: Indian Health Service

15h: Any other type of health insurance or health coverage plan

During the editing process, write-in answers describing or naming the type of other health

insurance or health coverage plan in part h were classified into one of the first seven

categories. Hence, only the first seven types of health coverage are part of the microdata file.

All write-in responses were classified using an automated computer system. This automated

procedure compared write-in responses with a master computer code list and then assigned a

code to each write-in response. The computerized matching assured that identical alphabetic

entries received the same code. Clerical coding categorized any write-in responses that did

not match the computer dictionary. The computer dictionary was then updated with the

results of the clerical coding. A computer edit was used for the following types of write-in

responses: the type of coverage could not be determined, but coverage by a family member

was indicated; coverage was indicated, but a determination between private and public could

not be made; and responses of “no coverage.” If the write-in could not be coded to one of the

coverage types or assigned with the computer edit, or was determined to not be coverage (i.e.

dental or vision), the write-in was treated as blank.

People were considered insured if they were reported to have at least one “yes” to Questions

15a to 15f. People who had no reported health coverage or those whose only health coverage

was Indian Health Service were considered uninsured.

For reporting purposes, the Census Bureau broadly classifies health insurance coverage as

private coverage or public coverage. Private health insurance is a plan provided through an

employer or union; a plan purchased by an individual from a private company; or TRICARE

or other military health care. Respondents reporting a “yes” to the types listed in parts a, b,

or e were considered to have private health insurance. Public health coverage includes the

federal programs Medicare, Medicaid, and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA); the

State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP); and individual state health plans.

Respondents reporting a “yes” to the types listed in c, d, or f were considered to have public

health coverage. The types of health insurance are not mutually exclusive; people may be

covered by more than one at the same time.

Data Source

U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey; Table: B27003 PUBLIC HEALTH INSURANCE STATUS BY SEX BY AGE

For 2015: 1 year & 5 year estimates

For 2014: 1 year & 5 year estimates

For 2013: 1 year estimates

For 2012: 1 year estimates

For 2011: 3 year estimates

For 2010: 3 year estimates

For 2009: 1 year estimates

For 2008: 1 year estimates

Notes

N.A.: Not Available; S = Data Suppressed.

Limitation of the Data – Health insurance coverage is a new question on the 2008 American Community Survey. Hence the limitations are not fully known. However, the 2006 Content Test of the American Community Survey provides useful information. The evaluation of that test data demonstrated the viability of asking questions on health insurance coverage in the ACS. See “2006 American Community Survey Content Test Report P.8: Evaluation Report Covering Health Insurance”

In order to get estimates for places in Arizona with smaller populations we have used the American Community Survey 3 and 5 year estimates, when available.

The American Community Survey is based on sample sizes and the numbers presented in this indicator are just estimates and are not to be taken as accurate counts.

Note: As of 2017, Census collects Children age 18 and under with public health insurance

The Census Bureau recommends that you:

DO compare similar period lengths, for example, 3-year to 3-year.

DON'T compare estimates from different period lengths, for example, 1-year to 3-year.

DO compare estimates from non-overlapping periods, for example, compare a 2005-2007 ACS 3-year estimate to a 2008-2010 ACS 3-year estimate.

DON'T compare overlapping periods, for example, the 2005-2007 ACS 3-year estimates to the 2006-2008 ACS 3-year estimates.

Last Updated

2024-12