Excellus report details uninsured rate Upstate

Upstate New York has a lower percentage of uninsured residents under age 65 than the rest of New York and the nation as a whole, according to a new analysis from Excellus BlueCross BlueShield.

The region’s uninsured rate of 8.6 percent from 2009 through 2011 compares with 11.6 percent for New York state and 15.2 percent nationwide. Rochester–based Excellus is one of Central New York’s major health insurers.

“With a lower uninsured rate than 47 U.S. states, upstate New York is in much better shape than most of the country,” Excellus Regional President Dr. Arthur Vercillo said in a news release. “Upstate New York’s higher rate of employer-based coverage — associated with lower health insurance costs — and greater participation in government safety net programs contribute to lower uninsured rates in upstate New York.”

The report found that Upstate’s employer-based coverage rate is higher than the state and nation. More than 62 percent of the region’s residents obtained health insurance through the workplace between 2009 and 2011.

The state’s rate for the same period was 58 percent and the nation’s was 55.5 percent.

Contact Tampone at ktampone@cnybj.com