Access to Medicaid may help address racial disparities in insurance coverage, access and self-reported outcomes, according to a new study, writes Fierce Healthcare.
The research, published in JAMA Internal Medicine, tracked more than 2.4 million Americans and found that immediately after turning 65, and thus becoming eligible for Medicare, coverage for Black respondents increased from 86.3% to 95.8%. Among Hispanic respondents, coverage increased from 77.4% to 91.3%. By comparison, white respondents had the highest level of coverage before gaining Medicare eligibility, at 92%. But coverage rates did increase for whites, too, reaching 98.5% after age 65, according to the study.
Read more:
- Fierce Healthcare: https://www.fiercehealthcare.com/payer/study-medicare-access-narrows-racial-gaps-coverage-healthcare-costs
- Changes in Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Access to Care and Health Among US Adults at Age 65 Years. JAMA Internal Medicine. 26 July 2021