This database contains summary health insurance coverage status.  Data are derived from the Survey of Income and Program Participation (SIPP), a longitudinal survey of the civilian non-institutionalized U.S. population. Covered by Private or Government Health Insurance includes private coverage of any kind and/or government coverage, which includes Medicare, Medicaid, and military health care, which includes Tricare, Veterans Administration, and military service health care.  Coverage is defined by insurance at least once in the past 4 months. Data are in thousands unless otherwise indicated.

The 1999 estimates reflect the results of follow-up verification questions and of Census 2000 based population controls.  In 2000, the Census Bureau implemented a 28,000 household sample expansion.  2004 estimates were revised based on improvements to the algorithm that assigned coverage to dependents, and there was an adjustment to the weights.  2010 data reflect the implementation of Census 2010-based population controls.