Private Health Insurance, 1968: Enrollment, Coverage, and Financial Experience

.IT THE ENI> OF 1968, private health insurance organizations gave some protection against hospital costs to an estimated 152 million persons in the ITnited States, or 77 percent, of the civilian population. Some protect,ion against surgical costs was given to 74 percent, of t,lie population and some coverage of in-hospital physician visits to 6.5 percent of the population. For services or t,ypes of care not associated wit11 llospitnlizatioil the proportions with some coverage through these organizations were tollsiderably less : 49 percent for out,-of-hospital X-ray and laboratory examinations, 13 percent for p11Jsici:ni oficct and home visik, 40 percent for out -of-hospital prescribed drugs, 10 percent for nursing-home care, and 3 percent for dental care. JLuch of the insurame coverage of physician office aud home visits and of drugs is subject tc deductibles and other limitations; consequently only a small part of the costs incurred for these items is covered. Since almost all persons aged 65 and over have a broad health insurance coverage through the Federal Government~?s program of health insurance for the aged (Medicare), interest centers on t#he number and percent,age of the population under age 65 who have prepayment or insurance coverage of health costs through private health insurance. Ilousehold-interview surveys conducted by the National Cent,er for Health Statistics of the Public Health Service reported that 80 percent of the civilian populat,ion under age 65 Ilad some coverage of hospital care and 77 percent had some coverage of surgical services. An estimated 46 percent of the population under age 65 had some coverage of physician office and home visits, 43 percent were covered for drugs, and 3 percent for tt~llti~l care. The number and proport,ion of the population found by the household surveys to have health insurance co\-erage of hospit,al care and surgical services is sonle\~h:tt lower than that estimated by the Heaith Insurance L4ssociation of america