Family respondents were asked about public assistance, Medicaid, or SCHIP coverage during the Health Insurance portion of the questionnaire. Respondents were asked "Let's talk (again) about all the health insurance coverage the family may have to help pay for the costs of medical care (since {START DATE}/between {START DATE} and {END DATE}}." Respondents were prompted to retrieve any insurance cards or identifying information to help answer questions about health insurance coverage.

Respondents were asked "{Medicaid/{STATE NAME FOR MEDICAID}} or {STATE CHIP NAME} are state programs that pay for health care for persons in need. People covered by {Medicaid/{STATE NAME FOR MEDICAID}} or {STATE CHIP NAME} may have a (piece of paper/card) that looks something like this.

At any time {since {START DATE}/between {START DATE} and {END DATE}}, has anyone in the family been covered by {Medicaid/{STATE NAME FOR MEDICAID}} or {STATE CHIP NAME}?" If respondents needed more explanation of Medicaid or SCHIP, they were told:

"Medicaid is a federally-assisted, state-administered program that offers health benefits to low income persons on public assistance. The program also may cover the aged, the blind, and the disabled who are in financial need. Medicaid may be known by different names in different states.

The Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) is a program which gives each state permission to offer health insurance for children, up to age 19, who are not already insured and for uninsured families with limited income and resources who earn too much to qualify for Medicaid. SCHIP is a state administered program and may be known by different names in different states."