J. Blustein et Lj. Weiss, VISITS TO SPECIALISTS UNDER MEDICARE - SOCIOECONOMIC ADVANTAGE AND ACCESS TO CARE, Journal of health care for the poor and underserved, 9(2), 1998, pp. 153-169
Citations number
40
Categorie Soggetti
Social Work","Public, Environmental & Occupation Heath
This study examines the relationship between socioeconomic advantage a
nd the likelihood of receiving specialty care in a nationally represen
tative sample of older Americans participating in fee-for-service Medi
care. In 1992, 62.9 percent of Americans aged 65 and older visited a s
pecialist physician at least once. Being white, having more education,
and having a higher income were each independently associated with a
higher likelihood of visiting a specialist. Having insurance to supple
ment basic Medicare coverage was also independently associated with an
increased likelihood of visiting a specialist; disadvantaged elders a
re less likely to have such supplemental insurance. Therefore, based b
oth upon socioeconomic disadvantage and a lack of insurance to supplem
ent the basic Medicare benefit, black, less educated and low-income el
ders are less likely to receive specialty services under fee-for-servi
ce Medicare. As the program wolves, it will be important to continue t
o monitor access to specialty care in vulnerable, socioeconomically di
sadvantaged populations.