Impact of Type of Health Insurance on Infection Rates among Young Trauma Patients

Abstract

The presence of insurance, namely Medicaid, does not equate to diagnosis and management of conditions that affect trauma outcomes. Medicaid is associated with worse pre-trauma health maintenance and a greater risk of infection.

Association of Expanded Medicaid Coverage With Hospital Length of Stay After Injury

“…In this study, the patient’s type of insurance coverage and their state of residence was significantly associated with hospital LOS, with reductions in LOS for Medicaid recipients in states that expanded Medicaid eligibility under the ACA. This finding is in line with those of previous studies, which demonstrated strong correlations between insurance status and clinical outcomes, including duration of hospitalization. We also found that states with Medicaid expansion had lower uninsured rates compared with nonexpansion states, an important finding because lack of insurance coverage has been associated with reduced access to rehabilitation facilities after discharge and less favorable patient outcomes …”

The influence of payor status on outcomes associated with surgical repair of upper gastrointestinal perforations due to peptic ulcer disease in the United States

“…Previous studies also found that Medicaid patients had worse outcomes than patients without insurance. 1,10,26 Our findings of increased complications, greater risk of post-injury infection among those with insurance Medicaid compared to those who have no insurance likely reflect larger societal issues. This is similar to a previous study by LaPar at el.…”