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eriu: Economic Research Initiative on the Uninsured Initiating and disemminating research to spark new policy discussion on health coverage issues.
Fast Facts  
   
Fast Facts Home
 
Facts to Consider
 
 
Counting the Uninsured by
Reference Period
All Year
Ever in Year
Point in Time
    MEPS
    SIPP
By Data Source
CPS
MEPS
SIPP
By Population
Total Non-Elderly
Adults
Children
Workers
Immigrants
By Additional Characteristics

Income
Education Level
Family Composition

Comparison Tables
CPS-SIPP
CPS-MEPS
Medical Utilization and
Expenditures Tables
 
Notes on Data Sources
and Variables
CPS
MEPS
SIPP
Data Dictionary
 

Counting the Uninsured by Reference Period: Point in Time

  Medical Expenditure Panel Survey Tables (MEPS)
       
  Survey of Income and Program Participation Tables (SIPP)
   
  **A Note about CPS Data:
CPS does not allow for different time frame estimates. Studies that have examined and compared CPS estimates with data from other surveys, such as SIPP and MEPS, suggest that CPS estimates of the uninsured are much closer to “point in time” than true full-year estimates. The number uninsured at any point in time is substantially larger than the number uninsured continuously throughout a year, and individuals with longer spells are more likely to be represented in this type of estimate.