in good
Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper
May 2012 • Issue 75
Meet Dr. Matthew Mittiga Pediatrician at St. Elizabeth Medical Group
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pstate New York’s uninsured 18to 64-year-olds are profiled by their sociodemographic characteristics in a report issued recently by Excellus BlueCross BlueShield. “We know from earlier studies that Upstate New York’s uninsured rate is considerably lower than national and state rates, but having a better understanding of who are the uninsured in our communities can be helpful in spotting opportunities to enhance access to coverage,” said Eve Van de Wal, regional president, Excellus BlueCross BlueShield. The Excellus BlueCross BlueShield study used U.S. Census Bureau surveys conducted from 2008 through 2010 to determine the health insurance status of those Upstate New York adults who are considered to be of traditional working age (18 to 64 years old). The report found high-uninsured rates among those who: • Resided in households with annual earnings of less than $50,000. The uninsured rate among those who resided in households that earned less than $50,000 per year was 22.6 percent, more than double the rate among those living in higher-income households (9.3 percent). • Were younger than 35. Of any adult age group younger than 65, those 35 and younger had the highest uninsured rate (21.3 percent). • Were underemployed or unemployed. The uninsured rate among those who were unemployed or worked part-time was 23.9 percent,
compared to 10.3 percent among those who were employed full time. • Were not educated beyond high school. Almost one in five (19.4 percent) Upstate New York adults who had no formal education or training beyond high school was uninsured, versus 10.6 percent of those who had at least some technical or college education after high school graduation. • Were of a minority race/ethnicity. The uninsured rate among non-Hispanic blacks was 21.9 percent, about 68 percent higher than that among nonHispanic whites (13 percent). May 2012 •
• Were single. About 22 percent of single individuals were uninsured, vs. 10.6 percent of those who were or had been married. The study also noted disparities in the distribution of demographic characteristics among the uninsured vs. the total population. For example, those whose annual household earnings were less than $50,000 represented the majority (59 percent) of the uninsured, but reflected only 37 percent of the population’s income distribution. Also, Upstate New York adults who were unemployed or employed part time accounted for more than onethird (35.3 percent) of the uninsured, although this group made up less than one-fifth (21 percent) of the employment distribution of the total Upstate New York adult population. “Today’s Excellus BlueCross BlueShield report, which reflects national patterns, calls attention to population groups that are most at risk for lacking health insurance coverage,” said Van de Wal. “It shows that groups which include minorities, the young, the single and the socio-economically disadvantaged are at highest risk.” A previously published Excellus BlueCross BlueShield study of all Upstate New York residents found that Upstate New York has a low uninsured rate (11.1 percent for 2008 through 2010), compared to statewide (14.6 percent) and national (16.1 percent) averages. The recent report exclusively focuses on Upstate New York’s uninsured 18- to 64-year-olds.
IN GOOD HEALTH – Mohawk Valley’s Healthcare Newspaper
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