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Unmet Healthcare Needs and Healthcare Access Gaps Among Uninsured U.S. Adults Aged 50–64

Author

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  • Namkee G. Choi

    (The University of Texas at Austin Steve Hicks School of Social Work, Austin, TX 78712, USA)

  • Diana M. DiNitto

    (The University of Texas at Austin Steve Hicks School of Social Work, Austin, TX 78712, USA)

  • Bryan Y. Choi

    (Brown University Warren Alpert Medical School, Department of Emergency Medicine, Providence, RI 02903, USA)

Abstract

Lack of health insurance (HI) is a particular problem for near-older Americans aged 50–64 because they tend to have more chronic health conditions than younger age groups and are at increased risk of disability; however, little recent research has focused on HI coverage and healthcare access among this age group. Using the U.S. National Health Interview Survey data for the years 2013 to 2018, we compared HI coverage and healthcare access between the 50–64 and 65+ age groups. Using logistic regression analysis, we then examined the sociodemographic and health characteristics of past-year healthcare access of near-older Americans without HI to those with private HI or public HI (Medicare without Medicaid, Medicaid without Medicare, Medicare and Medicaid, and VA/military HI). We estimated the odds of healthcare access among those without HI compared to those with private or public HI. Near-older Americans without HI were at least seven times more likely to have postponed or foregone needed healthcare due to costs, and only 15% to 23% as likely to have had contact with any healthcare professional in the preceding 12 months. Expanding HI to near-older adults would increase healthcare access and likely result in reduced morbidity and mortality and higher quality of life for them.

Suggested Citation

  • Namkee G. Choi & Diana M. DiNitto & Bryan Y. Choi, 2020. "Unmet Healthcare Needs and Healthcare Access Gaps Among Uninsured U.S. Adults Aged 50–64," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(8), pages 1-12, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:8:p:2711-:d:345617
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Sarah Miller & Norman Johnson & Laura R Wherry, 2021. "Medicaid and Mortality: New Evidence From Linked Survey and Administrative Data," The Quarterly Journal of Economics, President and Fellows of Harvard College, vol. 136(3), pages 1783-1829.
    2. Gulley, S.P. & Rasch, E.K. & Chan, L., 2011. "Ongoing coverage for ongoing care: Access, utilization, and out-of-pocket spending among uninsured working-aged adults with chronic health care needs," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 101(2), pages 368-375.
    3. Ghosh, Ausmita & Simon, Kosali & Sommers, Benjamin D., 2019. "The Effect of Health Insurance on Prescription Drug Use Among Low-Income Adults:Evidence from Recent Medicaid Expansions," Journal of Health Economics, Elsevier, vol. 63(C), pages 64-80.
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