What does this measure?
The percentage of people under 65 who are not covered by some form of health insurance, including public sources of health insurance like Medicaid and Medicare.
Why is this important?
Health insurance is critical to families' and individuals' access to care, financial security, and peace of mind. Those without insurance may delay needed care and forgo preventive care altogether, which can lead to medical problems that are more serious and expensive to treat. Financial ruin can result if an uninsured family must cope with a major illness or injury. Insurance allows the often-high cost of health services to be spread over many years.
How is our county performing?
In 2021, about 21,100, or 3%, of Worcester County residents under age 65 lacked health insurance, which is on par with the state and well under the national rate of 10%. Worcester County's rate has dipped slightly from a high of 5% in 2010 through 2012, similar to changes in the state rate. The national rate was higher and fell more, dropping from a high of 18% in 2010.
The low rates of uninsured in Massachusetts reflect the 2006 adoption of a state mandate to carry health insurance, which pre-dated and served as a model for the national Affordable Care Act.
Notes about the data
Figures are for individuals under 65. Data from before 2008 is not comparable due to a change in the national survey used to collect the information. Data for this indicator are released annually in May, with a two-year lag.
| 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Worcester County | 4% | 5% | 5% | 5% | 5% | 4% | 4% | 3% | 3% | 3% | 3% | 4% | 3% | 3% |
| Massachusetts | 4% | 5% | 5% | 5% | 4% | 4% | 4% | 3% | 3% | 3% | 3% | 4% | 3% | 3% |
Notes: Figures are for people under 65. Figures prior to 2008 are not comparable.
| 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Worcester County | 26,511 | 31,537 | 32,633 | 30,805 | 31,529 | 28,121 | 23,927 | 19,986 | 19,221 | 21,472 | 20,918 | 23,677 | 18,743 | 21,092 |
| Massachusetts | 240,442 | 269,241 | 281,724 | 267,661 | 246,614 | 238,392 | 208,262 | 180,139 | 165,417 | 182,389 | 182,533 | 195,726 | 174,212 | 162,727 |
Notes: Figures prior to 2008 are not comparable.
