Because of its larger sample size, the ACS can be used to estimate current coverage for subnational geographies, such as states, counties, metropolitan areas, and congressional districts. This level of geographic detail is not available in the CPS ASEC or any other Census Bureau survey that collects data on health insurance.

Although the CPS ASEC does not support subnational estimates, the level of detail about insurance coverage is considerably richer than what is available in the ACS. For example, while the ACS data indicate whether someone paid a premium for coverage, the CPS ASEC goes a step farther, requesting the actual dollar amount paid in premiums.

For those with private coverage, the CPS ASEC asks whether respondents are the policyholders or received their coverage through another household member or someone living outside the household. The publicly available data files contain details on the availability of employer-sponsored coverage and reasons some eligible respondents did not take advantage of them.

Detailed CPS income data also make it possible to assess how changes in annual health insurance coverage rates may relate to changes in the nation's overall economic well-being.

In summary, the ACS provides subnational estimates and the CPS ASEC more detailed health insurance coverage information.