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How Age Affects Those Lacking Kansas Health Insurance

In general, Kansas children are less likely to be uninsured than adults, in large part because they are more likely to be eligible for public programs. Even so, we know that many of the children who are eligible for Medicaid and SCHIP are not enrolled in either.

When children turn nineteen, their likelihood of being uninsured increases dramatically. The youngest adults, age 19-24, are more likely to be uninsured than any other age group. Of the more than 227,000 young adults age 19-24 in Kansas, about 28 percent are uninsured. This percentage increased from a decade-low of 23 percent in 2005-2006. Earlier in the decade, the percentage ranged from 24 to 27 percent.

Young adults as a group do not have the same health care needs as older adults, but access to health care remains important for them. In addition to the need for preventive care, some young adults may have chronic health conditions that require ongoing medical attention.

As adults get older, they are less likely to be uninsured. However, among middle-aged adults the likelihood of being uninsured has increased in recent years, particularly for adults age 35-44 and 45-54.

Among adults age 35-44, 17 percent are uninsured. This percentage has gradually increased from lows of 10 to 12 percent in the early part of the decade.

About 13 percent of adults 45-54 are uninsured, up from 8 to 10 percent in previous reporting periods.

About 10 percent of adults age 55-64 are uninsured. This is up from 8 percent in 2005-2006, but similar to previous percentages reported this decade.

Even though middle-aged adults are less likely to lack coverage, being uninsured is of particular concern for this age group. Middle-aged adults have an ncreased prevalence of chronic conditions requiring medical attention.

For seniors age 65 and older, only 1 percent are uninsured. This is because almost all Kansans in this age group are covered by Medicare, a federally funded public insurance program.

Children comprise 17 percent of the uninsured, even though in general they are less likely to be uninsured than adults.

Young adults constitute a disproportionately large percentage of the uninsured population in Kansas. Adults age 19-24 and age 25-34 together comprise about 42 percent of the uninsured population. They comprise only 23 percent of the entire Kansas population.

Middle-aged adults age 35-64 comprise about 40 percent of the uninsured. Middle-aged adults could constitute a greater share of the uninsured in the future if recent trends continue.