HEALTH-INSURANCE COVERAGE AT MIDLIFE - CHARACTERISTICS, COSTS, AND DYNAMICS

Recent data from the first two waves of the Health and Retirement Stud y are analyzed to evaluate prevalence of different types of health ins urance, characteristics of different plan types, and changes in covera ge as individuals approach retirement age. Although overall rates of c overage are quite high among the middle-aged, the risk of non-coverage is high within many disadvantaged groups, including Hispanics, low-wa ge earners, and the recently disabled. Sixty percent of individuals wi th health benefits are enrolled in health maintenance organizations (H MOs) or preferred provider organizations (PPOs). In addition, one-four th of enrollees in fee-for-service (FFS) plans report restrictions in their access to specialists.