The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America is sharing this press release from America's Health Insurance Plans (AHIP) to bring you the latest research news quickly.

[PRESS RELEASE]

Medicaid Enrollees Have Significantly Better Access to Health Care Compared to Uninsured, According to a New Study

WASHINGTON – (BUSINESS WIRE) – Americans enrolled in Medicaid have far better access to health care and preventive services than those without coverage, according to new research released today by America’s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP). The in-depth study adds to the clear and consistent evidence that having health insurance coverage in general, and Medicaid specifically, provides significant value and protection for Americans.

More than 75 million Americans are currently covered by Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), according to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). More than 55 million people – representing more than 70 percent of total Medicaid enrollment – rely on private health plans for their Medicaid coverage.

This study analyzed data from people who were uninsured, people who were covered by a Medicaid private health plan, and people who were covered by a commercial health plan. Researchers compared measures of access to care and preventive services across all three groups. The study relied on multivariate logistic regression models to control for patient demographics, geographic distribution, and overall health status. This approach provides more of an “apples to apples” comparison across the three groups and thus, more clearly describes the relationship between coverage status and care access and preventive services.

The findings demonstrated a strong relationship between insurance coverage and access to quality health care. More specifically:

• Adult Medicaid enrollees were almost five times more likely, and children four times more likely, to have a consistent source of health care than those without health coverage.
• Adults were more than four times more likely, and children were two-to-three times more likely, to receive certain preventive care services than those without health coverage.
• Across multiple measures, the majority of adults with a commercial health plan or with a Medicaid health plan reported better access to care and preventive services than those without insurance.
  
  

“This new evidence reinforces what insurance providers see every day – Medicaid works for patients and taxpayers,” said Rhys Jones, AHIP Vice President of Medicaid Policy and Advocacy. “Medicaid is an important part of America’s safety net and optimizes the use of every dollar invested into the program to ensure those who need help the most get the care they need.”

The full report, including the methodology and findings, can be found here.

About AHIP

America’s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP) is the national trade association representing the health insurance community. AHIP’s members provide health and supplemental benefits to millions of Americans through employer-provided coverage, the individual insurance market, and public programs such as Medicare and Medicaid. AHIP advocates for solutions that expand access to affordable health care coverage to all Americans through a competitive marketplace that fosters choice, quality, and innovation. Visit www.ahip.org for more information.

Contacts
America’s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP)
Cathryn Donaldson, 202-861-1479
cdonaldson@ahip.org