Private health insurance in 1975: coverage, enrollment, and financial experience.

More improvement in the scope than in the quality of private health insurance coverage took place during 1975. Four-fifths of the population under age 65 was covered for hospital and surgical care, and nearly that proportion was protected against the costs of physicians' in-hospital visits, X-ray and laboratory examinations, and prescribed out-of-hospital drugs. The $33.6 billion in premiums paid by consumers resulted in the return of only $28.9 billion in benefits, which covered just 44% of their total personal health care expenditures. Major-medical insurance, held by an estimated 43% of the population, helped to overcome some of the deficiencies of private insurance--dollar limitations on health care services, ceilings on the duration of hospital stays, and exclusions for some types of care. It also provided economic protection against catastrophic expenses. Premiums and subscription income rose faster than benefits as private insurers attempted to keep their coverage in line with rising health care costs. The overall underwriting gain was due largely to a $952.4 million gain in group business by the insurance companies.