Health insurance coverage at midlife: characteristics, costs, and dynamics.

Recent data from the first two waves of the Health and Retirement Study are analyzed to evaluate prevalence of different types of health insurance, characteristics of different plan types, and changes in coverage as individuals approach retirement age. Although overall rates of coverage are quite high among the middle-aged, the risk of noncoverage is high within many disadvantaged groups, including Hispanics, low-wage earners, and the recently disabled. Sixty percent of individuals with health benefits are enrolled in health maintenance organizations (HMOs) or preferred provider organizations (PPOs). In addition, one-fourth of enrollees in fee-for-service (FFS) plans report restrictions in their access to specialists.