Geographic Variation in Medicaid Acceptance Across Michigan Primary Care Practices in the Era of the Affordable Care Act

2017 ◽  
Vol 75 (5) ◽  
pp. 633-650 ◽  
Author(s):  
Renuka Tipirneni ◽  
Karin V. Rhodes ◽  
Rodney A. Hayward ◽  
Richard L. Lichtenstein ◽  
HwaJung Choi ◽  
...  

Coverage and access have improved under the Affordable Care Act, yet it is unclear whether recent gains have reached those regions within states that were most in need of improved access to care. We examined geographic variation in Medicaid acceptance among Michigan primary care practices before and after Medicaid expansion in the state, using data from a simulated patient study of primary care practices. We used logistic regression analysis with time indicators to assess regional changes in Medicaid acceptance over time. Geographic regions with lower baseline (<50%) Medicaid acceptance had significant increases in Medicaid acceptance at 4 and 8 months post-expansion, while regions with higher baseline (≥50%) Medicaid acceptance did not experience significant changes in Medicaid acceptance. As state Medicaid expansions continue to be implemented across the country, policy makers should consider the local dynamics of incentives for provider participation in Medicaid.

Author(s):  
Barry C. Hill ◽  
Daniel Coster ◽  
David R. Black

This study is the first to examine primary care physician (PCP) density relative to the uninsured at the local level prior to and after insurance expansion under the Affordable Care Act. Primary care physician density is associated with access to care, lower inpatient and emergency care, and primary care services. However, access to primary care among the uninsured may be limited due to inadequate availability of PCPs. Core-Based Statistical Area (CBSA) data from the Area Health Resource File were retrospectively examined before and after Medicaid expansion. Multiple logistic regressions were modeled for PCP density with predictor interaction effects for percentage uninsured, Medicaid expansion status, and US Census regions. Medicaid expansion CBSAs had significantly lower proportions of uninsured and higher PCP density compared with their nonexpansion counterparts. Nationally, increasing proportions of the uninsured were significantly associated with decreasing PCP density. Most notably, there is an expected 32% lower PCP density in Western Medicaid expansion areas with many uninsured (90th percentile) compared with those with few uninsured (10th percentile). Areas expanding Medicaid with greater proportions of people becoming insured postexpansion had significantly fewer PCPs. Areas with greater proportions of the uninsured may have reduced access to primary care due to the paucity of PCPs in these areas. Efforts to improve access should consider a lack of local PCPs as a limitation for ensuring accessible and timely care. Health care and policy leaders should focus on answers to improve the local availability of primary care clinicians in underserved communities.


2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S491-S491
Author(s):  
Mackenzi Kim ◽  
Lynn M Wilson ◽  
Nyann Biery ◽  
Brenda Frutos

Abstract Individuals who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or other non-heterosexual or binary gender identifiers (LGBTQ) face tremendous obstacles in search of quality healthcare. Older LGBTQ adults face these obstacles in the setting of more complex health problems with few social services and support. Negative treatment from healthcare professionals has proven to be one of the most pervasive barriers to care faced by older LGBTQ adults. Sensitization training with the film, Gen Silent, is one way knowledge gaps and biases of healthcare professionals has been addressed. By utilizing the survey previously validated by Porter et al., health professionals’ knowledge, perceptions, and attitudes toward LGBTQ older adults before and after viewing Gen Silent were assessed in Lehigh Valley Health Network (LVHN)-affiliated primary care practices. The principle outcome of this study was a statistically significant change in responses. Primary care practices were recruited for 45-minute sessions that included the showing of an educational, abbreviated version of Gen Silent to available staff. It was preceded by administration of a pretest survey and followed by a posttest survey and discussion. A paired t-test was conducted to determine significance of differences between pre- and posttest responses. Seventeen individuals (N=17) viewed the film and finished pre- and posttest surveys. Nearly all questions exhibited changes between pre- and posttests. Significantly, respondents indicated increased awareness of additional barriers to care faced by LGBTQ older adults compared to heterosexual peers. While limited, these results indicate that primary care professionals would benefit from training specific to the aging LGBT population.


BMJ Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. e042052
Author(s):  
Jean-Baptiste Woods ◽  
Geva Greenfield ◽  
Azeem Majeed ◽  
Benedict Hayhoe

ObjectivesMental health disorders contribute significantly to the global burden of disease and lead to extensive strain on health systems. The integration of mental health workers into primary care has been proposed as one possible solution, but evidence of clinical and cost effectiveness of this approach is unclear. We reviewed the clinical and cost effectiveness of mental health workers colocated within primary care practices.DesignSystematic literature review.Data sourcesWe searched the Medline, Embase, PsycINFO, Healthcare Management Information Consortium (HMIC) and Global Health databases.Eligibility criteriaAll quantitative studies published before July 2019 were eligible for the review; participants of any age and gender were included. Studies did not need to report a certain outcome measure or comparator in order to be eligible.Data extraction and synthesisData were extracted using a standardised table; however, pooled analysis proved unfeasible. Studies were assessed for risk of bias using the Risk Of Bias In Non-randomised Studies - of Interventions (ROBINS-I) tool and the Cochrane collaboration’s tool for assessing risk of bias in randomised trials.ResultsFifteen studies from four countries were included. Mental health worker integration was associated with mental health benefits to varied populations, including minority groups and those with comorbid chronic diseases. Furthermore, the interventions were correlated with high patient satisfaction and increases in specialist mental health referrals among minority populations. However, there was insufficient evidence to suggest clinical outcomes were significantly different from usual general practitioner care.ConclusionsWhile there appear to be some benefits associated with mental health worker integration in primary care practices, we found insufficient evidence to conclude that an onsite primary care mental health worker is significantly more clinically or cost effective when compared with usual general practitioner care. There should therefore be an increased emphasis on generating new evidence from clinical trials to better understand the benefits and effectiveness of mental health workers colocated within primary care practices.


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