Codes

Information on the codes for this variable is not currently available.

Description

SPMMEDXPNS records the value of family medical out-of-pocket expenses (MOOP) is used in the construction of the Supplemental Poverty Measure (SPM). Medical expenditures are reported by CPS respondents and are adjusted to reflect the cost of Medicare Part B premiums for Medicare recipients. Medical expenditures are calculated at the level of SPM family units.

In 2014, the Census Bureau updated SPMFEDTAXAC values for CPS ASEC 2010. The old values are available here: Old SPM and Weights Values.

For more information on the calculation of medical expenditure and impact medical expenditures on poverty rates, see the Census Bureau's "Medical Out-of-Pocket Expenses, Poverty, and the Uninsured" report.

Comparability

Aside from the effects of inflation, SPMMEDXPNS is comparable across years from 2010 to 2018.

In 2019, the Census Bureau implemented a new processing system to accommodate survey changes. These changes affect income and relationship variables, making poverty measurements before and after 2019 incomparable. For more information on this overhaul, see our guide to the 2019 ASEC updates.

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Unharmonized Variables