The National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) released the latest finding from its National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) that provides estimates on health insurance coverage for non-institutionalized individuals. 

The 2015 survey results found that for individuals aged 18 to 64 the rate of uninsured individuals in the nation is 12.8 percent.  Notable for proponents of the Affordable Care Act, the survey identifies that for this same age cohort the number of uninsured between the years of 1997 through 2010 generally increased.  However, during the five year period from 2010 through 2015, the figures have consistently decreased from 22.3 percent in 2010 to its current level.

The survey, which is based on the data of 103,798 individuals nationally, identifies trends including:

• Long-and short-term trends by several demographics such as age, race and poverty status
• Medicaid expansion by state status
• Periods of non-coverage
• Individuals enrolled in high-deductible health plans (HDHPs) and consumer-directed health plans (CDHPs).

Specific to New Jersey, the results found that the percentage of individuals who lacked coverage, had public health plan coverage and had private health plan coverage at the time of interview in 2015 were 6.9 percent, 29.9 percent and 73.0 percent, respectively.

NJHA is currently analyzing federal and state enrollment data and will do further analysis of, and provider consideration for, the NCHC survey results.