Differences in CAHPS (R) adult survey reports and ratings by race and ethnicity: An analysis of the national CAHPS (R) benchmarking data 1.0

Objective. To examine racial/ethnic group differences in adults' reports an d ratings of care using data from the National Consumer Assessment of Healt h Plans (CAHPS (R)) survey Benchmarking Database (NCBD) 1.0. Data Source. Adult data from the NCBD 1.0 is comprised of CAMPS 1.0 survey data from 54 commercial and 31 Medicaid health plans from across the United States. A total of 28,354 adult respondents (age greater than or equal to 18 years) were included in this study. Respondents were categorized as belo nging to one of the following racial/ethnic groups: Hispanic (n = 1,657), w hite (n = 20,414), black or African American (n = 2,942), Asian and Pacific Islander (n = 976), and American Indian or Alaskan native (n = 588). Study Design. Four single-item global ratings (personal doctor, specialty c are, overall rating of health plan, and overall rating of health care) and five multiple-item report composites (access to needed care, provider commu nication, office staff helpfulness, promptness of care, and health plan cus tomer service) from CAMPS 1.0 were examined. Statistical Analyses. Multiple regression models were estimated to assess d ifferences in global ratings and report composites between whites and membe rs of other racial/ethnic groups, controlling for age, gender, perceived he alth status, educational attainment, and insurance type. Principal Findings. Members of racial/ethnic minority groups, with the exce ption of Asians/Pacific Islanders, reported experiences with health care si milar to those of whites. However, global ratings of care by Asians/Pacific Islanders are similar to those of whites. Conclusions. Improvements in quality of care for Asians/Pacific Islanders a re needed. Comparisons of care in racially and ethnically diverse populatio ns based on global ratings of care should be interpreted cautiously.