This section answers the most frequently asked questions about the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey. Other sections answer additional questions about survey coverage and forms. If you don't find answers to all your survey questions, please contact staff.

1. What is the purpose of this Study

2. What will happen to the data collected in this Study?

3. Doesn't the government already have this information? I keep reading about survey data on health insurance benefits.

4. How was our company chosen? Who is asked to participate?

5. We have no health insurance. Why talk to us?

6. Why don't you call some other business?

7. What's in this for my business? Responding to your survey isn't going to help my business.

8. Is this mandatory? Our company policy is that we don't respond to surveys unless they are required by law.

9. Will my answers be kept confidential?

10. Is this survey authorized by law?

11. Who is the survey sponsor? Where can I get information about the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ)? Where can I get a copy of the results from this survey?

12. What does the OMB approval number mean?

13. Is this an annual survey?

14. What value or benefit will a small business get from participating in this study?

The Study's purpose is to measure State and National levels of health insurance spending, as well as, to provide data for analyzing the effects of current and proposed health care reform.
We are attempting to collect information on the availability of insurance for workers and the cost of insurance to both the employee and the organization providing the insurance.
Your responses will provide policy makers with answers to such questions as:
"How will new health care proposals affect small businesses, large businesses, and governments?"
"How fast are health care costs increasing, and is most of this cost being borne by employers or by employees?"
"Are companies with many low-paying jobs less likely to offer health insurance?"
"Are employees being offered a choice of health care plans and, when they are, which type of plan are they choosing?"

Back to Top

All of the responses are confidential. All the data collected will be combined into one large database. Health care researchers and statisticians will prepare tables and reports for publication, and will do special analysis at the request of health care policy makers. By law, no information that identifies your establishment can be published or released to anyone outside of the study

Back to Top

Several studies on health benefits offered by employers have been conducted by the insurance industry, private firms, foundations, and other government agencies. The Health Insurance Cost Study is by far the most comprehensive of these studies. It will provide detailed information about the types of health insurance offered, the number of persons covered, and the costs of health coverage at the State and National level.

Back to Top

This is a National Study of business establishments. Your establishment was statistically selected from a register of employers that the Census Bureau maintains. Since this is a sample survey, your establishment represents many other similar establishments. Establishments of all sizes and business activities are being asked to participate in our study.

Back to Top

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is also interested in characteristics of companies that do not provide health coverage. Further research may result in changes to the structure of the availability of insurance so that more businesses will be able to provide insurance to their workers.

Back to Top

In statistical studies like this one, we must interview a representative sample of establishments and government units. Your establishment was chosen to represent many other similar organizations. For statistical reasons, we cannot replace businesses or governments that decline to participate in the study. The information your organization provides is extremely important.

Back to Top

This study gives you an opportunity to let policy makers know about your health insurance situation and to provide objective data. Accurate information about the costs and characteristics of health plans is essential for making sensible decisions.
The data we are requesting is a very valuable tool toward gaining a better understanding of the health insurance status of American workers and their families. I'm sure that you are aware of the increasing costs associated with providing health insurance to employees. It is critical that accurate data regarding the availability and costs of health coverage be at hand during the development and debate over proposals regarding health insurance.
We are especially interested in measuring the impact that changes in availability of health insurance have on small businesses. The goal of our study is to provide the most accurate data possible on health insurance coverage and costs so that informed decisions on health care can be made.

Back to Top

This very important study is voluntary and there are no penalties for not answering questions. However, it is very important that we have your cooperation to ensure the quality and accuracy of our data. This study will measure State and National levels of health insurance spending and will provide information for lawmakers to assess the effects of current and proposed health care reform.

Back to Top

For private organizations, The U.S. Census Bureau is required by Title 13, United States Code, Section 9, to keep your information confidential and can use your responses only to produce statistics.  The U.S. Census Bureau is not permitted to publicly release your responses in a way that could identify your business, organization, or institution.  Per the Federal Cybersecurity Enhancement Act of 2015, your data are protected from cybersecurity risks through screening of the systems that transmit your data.

For government units, Sections 924c and 308d of the Public Health Service Act (Title 42 United States Code, Sections 299c-3(c) and 242m), ensure that the information reported will be released only to authorized staff of the Census Bureau, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), and their authorized researchers and contractors. Provisions of confidentiality related to these data will be applied by AHRQ.

Back to Top

For private organizations, Title 13, United States Code, Section 8(b), and Section 913 of the Public Health Service Act (Title 42, United States Code, Section 299b-2(a)) authorize the U.S. Census Bureau and Department of Health and Human Services to conduct this collection. For government units, we are conducting this study under the authority of Section 913 of the Public Health Service Act (Title 42, United States Code (U.S.C.), Section 299b-2).

Back to Top

The sponsor of this study is an agency of the Department of Health and Human Services called the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ).  For additional information about this study, please visit https://meps.ahrq.gov/mepsweb/survey_comp/Insurance.jsp or send an email to MEPSPROJECTDIRECTOR@ahrq.hhs.gov

Back to Top

The Office of Management and Budget approval number authorizes the collection of data. OMB reviews all studies that the Federal government conducts to control duplication of data collection among Federal agencies.

Back to Top

Yes, this is an annual study. We select a new sample of establishments every year. Therefore, it is very unlikely that your establishment will be contacted again next year.

Back to Top

Information from this study will provide data describing the problems small businesses are facing regarding health insurance and what they are doing to respond to these challenges. This study will also provide information on average premiums and employer contributions for small establishments by industry group, ownership type, age of business, etc.
There is very little comparative information regarding health insurance offerings for small businesses to use when shopping for health insurance. Sometimes this can take hours of paperwork and waiting to get quotes from insurance underwriters.

Back to Top