Health Care Coverage and Utilization

Information on health care coverage and utilization  is collected by a wide range of different NCHS data systems including The National Health Care Survey (NHCS), and The National Health Interview Survey (NHIS).  The NHCS consists of multiple components that collect data from records of hospitals, emergency and outpatient departments, ambulatory surgery centers, nursing homes, office-based physicians, etc. on a periodic basis. The NHIS  is a multi-purpose survey and is the principal source of information on the health of the civilian, noninstitutionalized household population of the United States.  The NHIS has been conducted continuously since its beginning in 1957.  The NHIS relies on in-person interviews to monitor a broad range of health issues.  The NHIS is frequently augmented by special questionnaires on selected health topics. Different health care utilization variables will be featured periodically in the Social Statistics Briefing Room.

Health Insurance Coverage

Usual Source of Care

Emergency Department Visits

This page last reviewed June 17, 2009