Health insurance data are collected from people (health insurance consumers) in the Annual Social and Economic Supplement (ASEC) to the Current Population Survey (CPS), the American Community Survey (ACS) and in the Survey of Income and Program Participation (SIPP). Reports and tables for the nation are available from the CPS; Reports and tables for the nation and states are available from the ACS. Only national estimates are available from the SIPP. The CPS, ACS and SIPP surveys produce public-use data sets allowing users to tabulate the data themselves.

The Census Bureau began collecting health insurance data on the Current Population Survey in 1987. Collection of health insurance data from the Survey of Income and Program Participation began in 1984. The American Community Survey began collecting data in 2008.

The Medical Expenses and Utilization of Health Care (Adults and Children) Topical Module of the Survey of Income and Program Participation collects information on health costs and health service utilization. The Census Bureau does not regularly produce tables or reports based on this information; however, the data are available for download at the SIPP Web site. A good source outside of the Census Bureau for this data is the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. It oversees the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP).