New Medicaid Enrollees See Health and Social Benefits in Pennsylvania’s Expansion

Autor: Jeffrey K. Hom MD, MPH, Charlene Wong MD, MSHP, Christian Stillson MPH, Jessica Zha MD, MPH, Carolyn C. Cannuscio ScD, Rachel Cahill MPA, David Grande MD, MPA
Jazyk: angličtina
Rok vydání: 2016
Předmět:
Zdroj: Inquiry: The Journal of Health Care Organization, Provision, and Financing, Vol 53 (2016)
Druh dokumentu: article
ISSN: 0046-9580
1945-7243
00469580
DOI: 10.1177/0046958016671807
Popis: Understanding how new Medicaid enrollees are approaching their own health and health care in the shifting health care landscape of the Affordable Care Act has implications for future outreach and enrollment efforts, as well as service planning for this population. The objective of this study was to explore the health care experiences and expectations of new Medicaid expansion beneficiaries in the immediate post-enrollment period. We conducted semistructured, qualitative interviews with a random sample of 40 adults in Philadelphia who had completed an application for Medicaid through a comprehensive benefits organization after January 1, 2015, when the Medicaid expansion in Pennsylvania took effect. We conducted an inductive, applied thematic analysis of interview transcripts. The new Medicaid beneficiaries described especially high levels of pent-up demand for care. Dental care was a far more pressing and motivating concern than medical care. Preventive services were also frequently mentioned. Participants anticipated that insurance would reduce both stress and financial strain and improve their experience in the health care system by raising their social standing. Participants highly valued the support of telephone application counselors in the Medicaid enrollment process to overcome bureaucratic obstacles they had encountered in the past. Dental care and preventive services appear to be high priorities for new Medicaid enrollees. Telephone outreach and enrollment support services can be an effective way to overcome past experiences with administrative barriers.
Databáze: Directory of Open Access Journals