Understanding who has health insurance—and the kind of coverage they carry—is essential to building stronger, more inclusive health systems. At MDR, we conduct in-depth surveys on health insurance to help policymakers, advocates, and health planners expand coverage, improve program effectiveness, and better communicate with the communities they serve.
Why Health Insurance Data Matters
Accurate, up-to-date data on insurance coverage enables stakeholders to:
- Design and evaluate health programs
- Identify gaps in coverage
- Tailor outreach to underinsured or uninsured populations
- Align services with the needs of families and individuals
Since 2001, MDR has partnered with agencies in more than ten states to deliver insights that inform smarter policy decisions and improve access to care.
A More Detailed Look at Coverage
Our proprietary household-level survey design goes beyond basic coverage questions. Rather than collecting information about just the person being interviewed, we gather data on every member of the household. This approach offers a fuller, more accurate picture of how insurance coverage functions within families, especially in nontraditional households.
For example, we can capture details about multigenerational families, mixed-coverage households (e.g., grandparents on Medicaid, children on CHIP), and households with both related and unrelated members. These insights help shape policies that better reflect the realities of people’s lives.
Supporting Decisionmakers Nationwide
Our health insurance research has guided major initiatives in states such as Oregon, Vermont, and Rhode Island. Highlights include:
Vermont Health Insurance Survey (2000–2025)
Rhode Island Health Insurance Survey (2012–2024)
Oregon Health Insurance Survey (2017, 2019, 2021)
We also support health insurance providers, including both public and private insurers, with research to improve customer experience, align plan design with member needs, and enhance relationships with healthcare providers.
The right data leads to better coverage—and better care.
Partner with MDR to gain the insights needed to improve access, reduce disparities, and build more responsive health insurance systems.
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