Center for Financing, Access, and Cost Trends (CFACT): Publications by Staff
Jessica Vistnes
Author: Vistnes J
Title: Health insurance coverage of near elderly individuals, ages 55-64, 2006
Publication: MEPS Statistical Brief No. 239. Available on the MEPS Web site
Date: March 2009
Abstract: Although the vast majority of near elderly individuals are covered by private or public health insurance, those lacking coverage may be particularly vulnerable to the high health care costs associated with serious and chronic illnesses that emerge at older ages. Near elderly adults' source of employment-related coverage differed from that for younger adults. For example, retiree coverage played a larger role in providing employment-related coverage to 55-64 year olds than to 45-54 year olds (16.2 vs. 1.4 percent) and coverage from a current job played a correspondingly smaller role (50.1 percent vs. 65.6 percent).
Author: Vistnes J
Title: Length of coverage in the individual health insurance market for the non-elderly U.S. population, 2006
Publication: MEPS Statistical Brief No. 227. Available on the MEPS Web site
Date: December 2008
Abstract: In 2006, 10.9 million non-elderly individuals under age 65 were covered by individual health insurance at some point during the year. Using data from the Household Component of the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS-HC), this statistical brief examines the population with individual health insurance in 2006 and those with full-year and part-year individual coverage.
Authors: Monheit A, Vistnes J
Title: Health insurance enrollment decisions: preferences for coverage, worker sorting, and insurance take-up
Publication: Inquiry 45(2):153-67
Date: Summer 2008
Abstract: Available on PubMed®
Authors: Vistnes J, Schone B
Title: Pathways to coverage: the changing role of public and private sources
Publication: Health Affairs 27(1):44-57
Date: January/February 2008
Abstract: Available on PubMed®
Authors: Rhoades J, Vistnes J
Title: Health insurance status of Hispanic subpopulations in 2004: Estimates for the U.S. civilian noninstitutionalized population under age 65
Publication: MEPS Statistical Brief No. 143. Available on the MEPS Web site
Date: September 2006
Abstract: Using data from the MEPS-HC, this statistical brief presents health insurance estimates for the Hispanic population by subgroups and U.S. citizenship status. An examination of these estimates reveals dramatic disparities in insurance coverage within the Hispanic population due to differences in eligibility for public programs and access to private coverage.
Authors: Rhoades J, Vistnes J
Title: Changes in children's health insurance status, 1996-2005: Estimates for the U. S. civilian noninstitutionalized population under Age 18
Publication: MEPS Statistical Brief No. 141. Available on the MEPS Web site
Date: September 2006
Abstract: Using data from the MEPS-HC, this statistical brief presents updated evidence on trends in children's coverage for 1996 to 2005 by race/ethnicity status, showing that continued growth in public coverage has been a major factor in improving rates of health insurance coverage for children.
Authors: Cooper P, Simon K, Vistnes J
Title: A closer look at the managed care backlash
Publication: Med Care 44(5 Suppl):I-4-11
Date: May 2006
Abstract: Available on PubMed®
Authors: Vistnes J, Morrisey M, Jensen G
Title: Employer choices of family premium sharing
Publication: Int J Health Care Finance Econ 6(1):25-47
Date: March 2006
Abstract: Available on PubMed®
Authors: Monheit A, Vistnes J
Title: The demand for dependent health insurance: How important is the cost of family coverage?
Publication: J Health Econ 24:1108-31
Date: Nov. 2005
Abstract: Available on PubMed®
Authors: Buchmueller T, Cooper P, Simon K, Vistnes J
Title: The effect of SCHIP expansions on health insurance decisions by employers
Publication: Inquiry 42(3):218-31
Date: Fall 2005
Abstract: Available on PubMed®
Authors: Cooper P, Vistnes J
Title: Workers' decisions to take-up offered health insurance coverage: Assessing the importance of out-of-pocket premium costs
Publication: Med Care 41(7 Suppl):III-35-43. AHRQ Pub. No. 03-R060
Date: July 2003
Abstract: Available on PubMed®
Authors: Rhoades J, Vistnes J, Cohen J
Title: The Uninsured in America: 1996-2000
Publication: MEPS Chartbook No. 9. AHRQ Pub. No. 02-0027. Available on the MEPS Web site
Date: 2002
Abstract: This chartbook presents data from the first year of the MEPS survey, 1996, through 2000. Following an overview of the uninsured in America, this chartbook examines the problem of lack of insurance in terms of predictors of insurance status: age, race/ethnicity, and employment status.
Authors: Vistnes J, Cooper P, Vistnes G
Title: Employer contribution methods and health insurance premiums: Does managed competition work?
Publication: Int J Health Care Finance Econ 1:159-87
Date: 2001
Abstract: The authors derived a two-stage model in which health plans first compete to be selected by employers and subsequently compete to be chosen by employees. The authors identified the key determinants of competition and show that increasing competition at one stage often comes at the expense of competition at the other stage. Many economists and policymakers have argued that in order to increase competition among health plans, employers should offer multiple plans and structure premium contributions to make employees more price-sensitive. While the theoretical model shows that following this policy prescription may not actually lead to lower premiums, the empirical analysis provides some support for this recommendation. The authors also found that if employers instead pay the full premium, premiums increase when they offer additional plans. These results have important implications for both employers and policymakers.
Authors: Monheit A, Vistnes J, Zuvekas S
Title: Stability and change in health insurance status: New estimates from the 1996 MEPS
Publication: MEPS Research Findings No. 18. AHRQ Pub. No. 02-0006. Available on the MEPS Web site
Date: 2001
Abstract: Initiatives to expand health insurance coverage have focused not only on the size of the uninsured population but also on the stability and continuity of coverage. This report from AHRQ describes the health insurance experience of the U.S. population during 1996, using data from the 1996 MEPS. It provides alternative estimates of the uninsured population and the prevalence of full-year and part-year coverage. It also examines the extent to which people insured at the beginning of a calendar year become uninsured and the likelihood that those uninsured at the beginning of the year will acquire coverage.
Authors: Monheit A, Vistnes J, Eisenberg J
Title: Moving to Medicare: trends in the health insurance status of near elderly workers, 1987-1996
Publication: Health Aff 20(2):204-13. AHRQ Pub. No. 01-R047
Date: 2001
Abstract: Available on PubMed®
Authors: Rhoades J, Brown E, Vistnes J
Title: Health insurance status of the civilian noninstitutionalized population: 1998
Publication: MEPS Research Findings No. 11. AHRQ Pub. No. 00-0023. Available on the MEPS Web site
Date: 2000
Abstract: This report provides preliminary estimates of the health insurance status of the civilian noninstitutionalized U.S. population during the first half of 1998, including the size and characteristics of the population with private health insurance, with public insurance, and without any health care coverage.
Authors: Monheit A, Vistnes J
Title: Race/ethnicity and health insurance status: 1987 and 1996
Publication: Med Care Res Rev 57(Suppl 1):11-35. AHRQ Pub. No. 01-R009
Date: 2000
Abstract: Available on PubMed®
Authors: Peterson C, Vistnes J
Title: State differences in job-related health insurance, 1996
Publication: MEPS Chartbook No. 4. AHRQ Pub. No. 00-0017. Available on the MEPS Web site
Date: 2000
Abstract: This report focuses on three key aspects of State differences in employer-sponsored health insurance. The first section looks at workers' access to job-related health insurance. The cost of insurance, which may be a factor in whether employers offer coverage and whether workers accept it, is examined in the second section. Finally, the report presents data on the choice of plans offered to employees.
Authors: Branscome J, Cooper P, Sommers J, Vistnes J
Title: Private employer-sponsored health insurance: new estimates by State
Publication: Health Aff 19(1):139-47. AHRQ Pub. No. 00-R016
Date: 2000
Abstract: Available on PubMed®
Authors: Vistnes J, Zuvekas S
Title: The uninsured in America—1997
Publication: MEPS Highlights No. 10. AHCPR Pub. No. 99-0031. Available on the MEPS Web site
Date: 1999
Abstract: This report summarizes data on the characteristics of the uninsured population in the United States during the first half of 1997.
Authors: Vistnes J, Zuvekas S
Title: Health insurance status of the civilian noninstitutionalized population: 1997
Publication: MEPS Research Findings No. 8. AHCPR Pub. No. 99-0030. Available on the MEPS Web site
Date: 1999
Abstract: This report from the 1997 MEPS provides preliminary estimates of the health insurance status of the civilian noninstitutionalized U.S. population during the first half of 1997, including the size and characteristics of the population with private health insurance, with public insurance, and without any health care coverage.
Authors: Monheit A, Vistnes J
Title: Health insurance availability at the workplace—How important are worker preferences?
Publication: J Human Res 34(4):770-85. AHRQ Pub. No. 00-R013
Date: 1999
Abstract: Analysts have frequently interpreted the uneven distribution of health insurance across firms of varying size as evidence of insurance market failure in the small-group market. The authors explored an additional explanation by considering the relationship between employee preferences for health insurance and its availability at the workplace. The authors applied a simple model of job choice to data from the 1987 National Medical Expenditure Survey (NMES) to examine whether workers with weak preferences for health insurance sort themselves into jobs without coverage. The results for a sample of single workers are consistent with such sorting behavior.
Authors: Cooper F, Hagy A, Vistnes J
Title: The Medical Expenditure Panel Survey: The creation of a linked employer-employee database
Publication: The Creation and Analysis of Employer and Employee Matched Data. North Holland, Amsterdam, New York, Oxford, Tokyo
Date: 1999
Authors: Monheit A, Vistnes J
Title: Uninsured workers—job characteristics, 1996
Publication: MEPS Highlights No. 8. AHCPR Pub. No. 99-0008. Available on the MEPS Web site
Date: 1998
Abstract: Summary of uninsured status by self-employed and wage-earner status, size of business, hourly wage, and number of hours worked.
Authors: Monheit A, Vistnes J
Title: Uninsured workers—demographic characteristics, 1996
Publication: MEPS Highlights No. 7. AHCPR Pub. No. 99-0007. Available on the MEPS Web site
Date: 1998
Abstract: Summary of uninsured status by race/ethnicity, age, sex, and health status.
Authors: Vistnes J, Monheit A
Title: Health insurance profile: Race/ethnicity and sex—1996
Publication: MEPS Highlights No. 6. AHCPR Pub. No. 98-0052. Available on the MEPS Web site
Date: 1998
Abstract: Summary of health insurance status by race/ethnicity and sex for Americans under 65.
Authors: Vistnes J, Monheit A
Title: Health insurance coverage in America—1996
Publication: MEPS Highlights No. 4. AHCPR Pub. No. 98-0031. Available on the MEPS Web site
Date: 1998
Abstract: Summary of coverage status of Americans in 1996.
Authors: Vistnes J, Banthin J
Title: The demand for Medicare supplemental insurance benefits: The role of attitudes toward medical care and risk
Publication: Inquiry 34(Winter):311-24. AHCPR Pub. No. 98-R030
Date: 1997-98
Abstract: Available on PubMed®
Authors: Monheit A, Vistnes J
Title: Health insurance status of workers and their families: 1996
Publication: MEPS Research Findings No. 2. AHCPR Pub. No. 97-0065. Available on the MEPS Web site
Date: 1997
Abstract: This report uses data from the first round of the 1996 MEPS to describe the health insurance status of working Americans and their families.
Authors: Vistnes J, Monheit A
Title: Health insurance status of the civilian noninstitutionalized population: 1996
Publication: MEPS Research Findings No. 1. AHCPR Pub. No. 97-0030. Available on the MEPS Web site
Date: 1997
Abstract: This report from the 1996 MEPS provides preliminary estimates of the health insurance status of the civilian noninstitutionalized U.S. population during the first half of 1996, including the size and characteristics of the population with private health insurance, with public insurance, and without any health care coverage.
Author: Vistnes J
Title: Gender differences in days lost from work due to illness
Publication: Industrial and Labor Relations Review 50(2):304-23
Date: 1997
Abstract: The author uses data from the 1987 NMES to investigate the extent and determinants of gender differences in days lost from work due to illness. She finds that for both men and women, health-status measures, such as self-reported health status and medical events, more consistently explained absenteeism than did economic factors such as wages and the presence of sick leave. The presence of young children increased women's, but not men's, probability of missing work, as well as women's number of absences for those who missed work in 1987. Among men who were absent from work in 1987, however, the presence of children in day care increased the number of days lost from work. In that regard, those men, most of whom were likely to be either single parents or married with a working wife, behaved more like mothers with young children than like other men.
Authors: Beauregard K, Drilea S, Vistnes, J
Title: The uninsured in America—1996
Publication: MEPS Highlights No. 1. AHCPR Pub. No. 97-0025. Available on the MEPS Web site
Date: 1997
Abstract: New MEPS data indicate the extent of uninsured in America.
Authors: Taylor A, Beauregard K, Vistnes J
Title: Who belongs to HMOs: A comparison of fee-for-service versus HMO enrollees
Publication: Med Care Res Rev 52(3):389-408
Date: Sept. 1995
Abstract: Available on PubMed®
Authors: Vistnes J, Hamilton V
Title: The time and monetary costs of outpatient care for children
Publication: Am Ec Rev 85(2):117-21
Date: May 1995
Authors: Monheit A, Vistnes J
Title: Implicit pooling of workers from large and small firms
Publication: Health Aff 13(1):301-14
Date: Spring 1994
Abstract: Available on PubMed®
Author: Vistnes J
Title: An empirical analysis of married women's retirement decisions
Publication: National Tax J 47(1):135-55
Date: 1994 (March)
Author: Vistnes J
Title: Private health insurance premiums in 1987: Policyholders under age 65
Publication: National Medical Expenditure Survey Data Summary 5, Agency for Health Care Policy and Research. Rockville, MD: Public Health Service. AHCPR Pub. No. 92-0061
Date: Aug. 1992
Authors: Short P, Vistnes J
Title: Multiple sources of Medicare supplementary insurance
Publication: Inquiry 29:33-43
Date: Spring 1992
Abstract: Available on PubMed®
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