Health insurance

Health insurance in the United States
According to the latest United States Census Bureau figures, approximately 85% of Americans have health insurance. Approximately 60% obtain health insurance through their place of employment or as individuals, and various government agencies provide health insurance to over 29% of Americans. In 2005, there were 41.2 million people in the U.S. (14.2 percent of the population) who were without healthcare insurance for at least part of that year.(ibid) For many people, however, this does not boil down to a simple question of affordability. Part of this population might include young and healthy individuals with low risk of serious illness who don't believe that health insurance would be cost-effective. In fact, approximately one-third of these 41.2 million live in households with an income over $50,000, with half of these having an income of over $75,000. Additionally, one third of these 41.2 million are eligible for public health insurance programs but have not signed up for them. People living in the western and southern United States are more likely to be uninsured.

Medicare
In the United States, government-funded Medicare programs help to insure the elderly and end stage renal disease patients. Some health care economists (Uwe Reinhardt of Princeton and Stuart Butler among others) assert that (the third party payment feature) these programs have had the unintended consequence of distorting the price of medical procedures. As a result, the Health Care Financing Administration has set up a list of procedures and corresponding prices under the Resource-Based Relative Value Scale.Starting in 2006, Medicare Part D provides a program for the elderly to buy insurance for the purchase of prescription drugs.

Medicare Advantage
Medicare Advantage plans expand the health care options for Medicare beneficiaries. The option for Medicare Advantage plans is a result of the Balanced Budget Act of 1997, with the intent to better control the rapid growth in Medicare spending, as well as to provide Medicare beneficiaries more choices.
Medicaid
While Medicaid was instituted for the very poor, beginning in 1972, the number of individuals in the United States who lacked any form of health insurance for any period during the year increased each year, every year with the exceptions of the years 1999 and 2000.It has been reported that the number of physicians accepting Medicaid has decreased in recent years due to relatively high administrative costs and low reimbursements.
Private: Employer-Sponsored Medical Expense Insurance
Health insurance paid for by business entities generally on behalf of their employees and other immediate stakeholders. Broadly classified as "Traditional/Indemnity" and "Managed/Preferred Provider." Most private health coverage in the U.S. is employment based, and the employer typically makes a substantial contribution towards the cost of coverage.
Many small employers provide employee health insurance, but the percentage offering is not as high as it is for larger employers. The types of coverage available to small employers are similar, but they do not have the same options for financing their benefit plans. In particular, self-insuring the benefits (see Self-funded health care is not a practical option for most small employers.
Private: Individually Purchased Medical Expense Insurance
Policies of health insurance obtained by individuals not otherwise covered under policies or programs elsewhere classified. Generally major medical, short term medical, and student policies. Fewer Americans are covered by individually purchased medical expense insurance than by employer-sponsored coverage. The range of products available is similar, however. Average premiums are generally somewhat lower than those for employer-sponsored coverage, but vary by age. Deductibles and other cost-sharing is also higher, on average, and the individual consumer pays the entire premium without benefit of an employer contribution.
Private Long-term Care Insurance
Long-term care (LTC) insurance is growing in popularity in the U.S. Premiums have remained relatively stable in recent years. However, the coverage is quite expensive, especially when consumers wait until retirement age to purchase it. The average age of new purchasers was 61 in 2005, and has been dropping.