Identifying the characteristics of the uninsured in Santa Clara County
Data highlights:

• Santa Clara County’s Asian population has a higher uninsurance rate compared to
statewide average

• A greater percentage younger adults are uninsured in SCC

• On average low wage workers in CA pay $54/ month on health insurance for
single coverage

Total Number Uninsured Adults

California

Santa Clara County

4.2 million

141,000
108,000

Total uninsured adults below 300% of FPL 3.3 million

Demographic Data on the uninsured
Uninsured bv income level
Less than 100% of FPL
100-200% of FPL
200-300% of FPL

300% of FPL and above

31% or 1,298,000
32% or 1,332,000
15% or 623,000
21% or 866,000

28% or 39,000
28% or 40,000
20% or 29,000
24% or 34,000

Racial demographics ofthe uninsured population
5%

2%

Latino

53%

43%

White

28%

21%

Asian

9%

25%

Other

5%

9%

21% or 850,000
43% or 1,766,000
37% or 1,504,000

31% or 44,000
32% or 45,000
37% or 52,000

African American

Uninsured bv age (adults only)
19-24

25-39
40-64

Employment Characteristics

Offer/ take up rates (percent based on workforce)
Accepted health insurance
Eligible for benefits but did not accept
Not eligible for benefits offered
Employer didn’t offer

73% or 567,000
65% or 9,866,000
9% or 68,000
10% or 1,552,000
8% or 58,000
8% or 1,214,000
11% or 84,000
17% or 2,557,000

Reasons employees did not take up coverage(CA data only)
66%
Covered by another plan
Too expensive

20%

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Average worker contribution for family coverage:
2003; $212/ month or $2,552/yr(30% of total cost)
2005: $240/month or $2,883/yr(29% of total cost)
Average worker contribution for employee only coverage:
2003; $38/month or $454/yr(15% of total cost)
2005: $41/month or $492/yr(13% of total cost)

Worker contribution to monthly premium, by firm size (2005)"*
Employee Only Coverage
No contribution

$1-30

$31-60

$61+

All firms

25%

21%

31%

23%

Small firms (3-199 workers)
Large firms (more than 200

42%

16%

19%

23%

13%

24%

40%

23%

No contribution

$1-180

$181-360

361+

All firms

11%

28%

40%

21%

Small firms (3-199 workers)
Large firms (more than 200
workers)

14%

21%

36%

28%

33%

42%

16%

workers)
Family Coverage

8%

Worker contribution to monthly premium by wage level (2005)^

Employee Only
Coverage
Family Coverage

Low-wage firms
(35% of workforce earns
$20,000 or less per year)

Higher wage firms

All firms

$54

$39

41$

$304

$231

$240

Major barriers to coverage (as reported by employers)^
(Results are based on a survey of employers who indicated what reasons were “very
important” in not offering coverage to their workers)
• High premiums = 66%
•

Firm too small = 49%

• Employees covered elsewhere = 43%
• Can attract good employees without offering insurance = 32%
•

Administrative hassle = 25%

• High turnover = 22%
•

Firm too new = 16%

• Seriously ill employee = 9%

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Cost;

Program started in 1999. Since then cost inflation for the program has only risen 4%
Three share model

1/3 employer

1/3 worker- pays through a payroll deduction

1/3 community- this proportion is paid through hospital disproportionate share
money

Current monthly costs:
Adult- $46

Employer- $46
Community- $56
Success:

Enrollment: 1,500 workers (county is only 170,000 people)
430 businesses, representing 38% market penetration

California Employer Benefits Survey, California Health Care Foundation, November 2005
^ 2003 data is from the 2004 March Current Population Survey. 2005 data is from the California Employer
Benefits Survey, California Health Care Foundation.
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2003 data is from the 2004 March Current Population Survey. 2005 data is from the California Employer
Benefits Survey, California Health Care Foundation.

^ California Employer Benefits Survey, California Health Care Foundation, November 2005
^ California Employer Benefits Survey, California Health Care Foundation, November 2005
® California Employer Benefits Survey, California Health Care Foundation, November 2005
^ “Paying a Premium; The Added Cost of Care for the Uninsured” Families USA,June 2005. This estimate
include Medicare and Medicaid DSH payments, excluding mental hospitals

** “Paying a Premium; The Added Cost of Care for the Uninsured” Families USA,June 2005. Includes
projected DSH payments by state from 2005 to 2010.

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