Barriers To Care Among Racial/Ethnic Groups Under Managed Care

Abstract

We describe barriers to care reported by racial/ethnic groups and explore the extent to which barriers vary between persons enrolled in managed care and those in non-managed care plans, using data from the 1996 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS). Most respondents expressed satisfaction with their care; however, a substantial percentage reported experiencing barriers. Minorities, particularly Hispanics and Asian Americans, were more likely than non-Hispanic whites were to report barriers. Managed care enrollees across racial/ethnic groups faced different types of barriers than non-managed care enrollees did. Although managed care enrollees were more likely to report having a usual source of care and greater continuity of care, they also reported more difficulties obtaining care and less satisfaction with their care.

Health Behaviors and Quality of Care Among Latinos With Diabetes in Managed Care

“…The survey contained questions about sociodemographic characteristics including age, sex, race/ethnicity, preferred language for the interview, education, and income; clinical characteristics; processes of care; diabetes- In managed care settings, Latinos may face obstacles associated with the administrative complexity of health plans, cultural differences between patients and health care professionals, and language barriers, placing them at increased risk for underuse of services, poor-quality care, and worse outcomes compared with Whites. 6,11,12 Prior research suggests that language barriers may be a particularly important influence on health behaviors among Latinos, 13 The main predictors in these analyses were ethnicity and language, and the main outcomes were diabetes-related health behaviors, processes of care, and intermediate outcomes.…”

Pre-experience Perceptions About Telemedicine Among African Americans and Latinos in South Central Los Angeles

“…[3][4][5][6] African Americans and Latinos make up the largest proportion of the minority populations who experience the most severe and concentrated types of health disparities. [3][4][5] Much of this disparity in health is thought to be due to lack of timely access to appropriate healthcare. 6 Medically underserved populations experiencing health disparities tend to be concentrated in either inner city or rural areas.…”

Revisión sobre la Utilización de Servicios de Salud, 1996-2006

“…Los estudios dilucidaron cuestiones como: los factores que afectan el acceso/utilización de servicios de salud (10,(14)(15)(16)19,21,22,25,27,30,41); las diferencias, desigualdades e inequidades en la utilización de servicios de salud (8,12,17,18,31,32,34,35,37); los roles del seguro en la utilización (9,20,26,28,29); las barreras para el acceso/utilización (11,13,23,24,40); las vivencias y expectativas sobre la utilización (33,38,39) y los patrones de uso (36).…”

“…Las variables del sistema de salud fueron medidas en 41,9 % de los estudios cuantitativos (8,10,11,13,14,16,19,(23)(24)(25)(26)29,37), encontrándose que los factores más estudiados fueron: disponibilidad de recurso humanos y físicos, tipo de servicios, tiempos de espera para obtener una cita, tiempo de espera en el consultorio y políticas institucionales, respectivamente.…”