Recent research analyzed U.S. Census Bureau data to determine the average adult health insurance coverage by state between 2019 and 2023. These findings reveal the states where adults are most financially vulnerable in the event of a medical emergency.
Bad News For Florida
Despite being one of the most populous states, Florida continues to struggle with expanding healthcare access, leaving millions of residents at risk. With an average adult coverage rate of 82.93%. Florida follows closely behind Georgia and is just slightly better than Mississippi to rank in at fourth place. Other recent research also revealed that Florida is among the top 10 states for both stroke-related deaths and rates of Parkinson’s disease-related deaths.
State Population Without Health Insurance
U.S. Census Bureau Highlights
- More people were insured in 2022 than in 2021. In 2022, 92.1% of people had health insurance at some point during the year, representing an increase in the insured rate and number of insured from 91.7% in 2021.
- In 2022, private health insurance coverage continued to be more prevalent than public coverage, at 65.6% and 36.1%, respectively.
- Of the subtypes of health insurance coverage, employment-based insurance was the most common, covering 54.5% of the population for some or all of the calendar year, followed by Medicaid (18.8%), Medicare (18.7%), direct-purchase coverage (9.9%), TRICARE (2.4%), and VA and CHAMPVA coverage (1.0%).
- Between 2021 and 2022, the rate of Medicare coverage increased by 0.3 percentage points to cover 18.7% of people.
- The uninsured rate among working-age adults aged 19 to 64 decreased 0.8 percentage points to 10.8% between 2021 and 2022, driven in part by a decrease in uninsured rates for workers.
State Highlights
- Utah and North Dakota had the highest (78.4%) and New Mexico the lowest (54.4%) rates of private coverage in 2022, compared with the national average of 67.2%.
- Alaska, Florida, Iowa, Kansas, Mississippi, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, and Texas experienced an increase in private health insurance coverage
- Maine, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New York, and Virginia experienced a decrease in private coverage from 2021 to 2022.
- Utah had the lowest (22.2%) rate of public coverage in 2022, and New Mexico the highest (51.2%), compared with the national average of 37.2%.
- Between 2021 and 2022, the rate of public coverage increased in Alabama, California, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New York, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, and Virginia and decreased in Rhode Island.
- Oklahoma had one of the highest increases in public coverage (up 2.3 percentage points) from 2021 to 2022.
“The changes in uninsured rates are impacted by multiple factors, including the demographic makeup of a population and the economy. In 2022, we saw the uninsured rate decrease with the driving force differing by state,” said David Waddington, chief of the Social, Economic, and Housing Statistics Division at the Census Bureau, in a press release. “For seven of the states with lower uninsured rates in 2022, the difference was driven by increased private coverage. For 10 states, the uninsured rate decrease was related to increased public coverage. In three particular states —Missouri, New York, and Virginia — the decline in the uninsured rate was a result of increases in public coverage that outweighed decreases in private coverage.”
Methodology
The research analyzed the U.S. Census Bureau data to determine average adult health insurance coverage by state between 2019 and 2023. The findings reveal the states where adults are most financially vulnerable in the event of a medical emergency.
Looking at the study, a spokesperson commented,
“This study exposes a major gap in financial protection across certain states.
“Without health insurance, something as routine as a broken arm, ER visit, or outpatient procedure can quickly spiral into thousands of dollars in debt. In states like Florida, where many remain uninsured, that’s not a worst-case scenario — it’s a daily reality.
“For victims of accidents caused by someone else’s negligence, legal support can be a vital path to recovering medical expenses when there’s no safety net in place.”
Table of Extended Results
States With High Private Health Insurance Coverage
- Utah and North Dakota: These states consistently rank high in private coverage, with Utah having the highest rate (78.4%) in 2022.
- New England States: States like Massachusetts, Vermont, Rhode Island, and New Hampshire tend to have higher rates of coverage, potentially due to their strong public health insurance programs and/or higher rates of private insurance.
- Other States with High Coverage: Iowa, Michigan, and Minnesota also see above-average private coverage rates.
Factors Contributing To Higher Coverage Rates
- Stronger public programs: Some states have robust Medicaid or other public health insurance programs that provide coverage to a larger portion of their population.
- Higher rates of private employment: States with strong economies and a higher proportion of employed residents may have more people receiving health insurance through their employers.
- State-level policies: Some states have enacted policies that encourage or mandate health insurance coverage, leading to higher rates.
Summary
In general, states with higher rates of private health insurance coverage include Utah, North Dakota, Massachusetts, Vermont, and Hawaii. For example, Utah had the highest private coverage rate at 78.4% in 2022.
Important Consideration
It’s important to note that health insurance coverage rates can fluctuate over time due to factors like economic conditions, changes in state policies, and the overall health of the population.
This article was written by TJ Webber at the WHN News Desk, and it was created using information supplied by Nevada-based H&P Law, the U.S. Census Bureau, and KFF (Kaiser Family Foundation).
As with anything you read on the internet, this article should not be construed as medical advice; please talk to your doctor or primary care provider before changing your wellness routine. WHN does not agree or disagree with any of the materials posted. This article is not intended to provide a medical diagnosis, recommendation, treatment, or endorsement. Additionally, it is not intended to malign any religion, ethnic group, club, organization, company, individual, or anyone or anything. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
