Adults 65 years and older were the age group most likely to be covered by more than one plan because many supplemented Medicare coverage with privately purchased plans or coverage through a current or previous employer.

In 2021, about 29.2 million people with multiple coverage were 65 or older, representing more than half (51.9%) of adults in this age group. In contrast, about 5.5% of adults ages 19 to 64 and 4.1% of individuals under age 19 had more than one type of health coverage (Figure 2). 

The likelihood of having multiple coverage also varied by income. Family resources may determine the ability to afford private health insurance and families below certain income-to-poverty thresholds may qualify for public health insurance options.

People are classified as being in poverty if their family income is less than 100% of the poverty threshold. Family resources are classified by the ratio of family earnings to the poverty threshold. In 2021, the poverty threshold for a family with two adults and two children was $27,479.

About 13.7% of people with incomes between 100% and 399% of their poverty threshold had more than one type of coverage in 2021, followed by 12.9% of those with incomes at or above 400% of the federal poverty level and 12.1% of those in poverty.