SPMMEDXPNS_19RYALT is a 6-digit numeric variable.

Description

SPMMEDXPNS_19RYALT records the value of family medical out-of-pocket expenses (MOOP) 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.

This variable is an alternative version of SPMMEDXPNS that was re-released for the 2020 ASEC which reflects methodological changes first introduced with the 2021 CPS ASEC sample. For more information, see our documentation on the re-release of the 2019 SPM research file in the 2020 ASEC that describes methodological improvements that impact SPM resource and threshold variables. The SPM reference year is the calendar year to which the income, taxes, transfers, expenses, and poverty thresholds apply.

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

This variable is comparable over time.

Universe

Flags

Unharmonized Variables