Hospitalizations for Injury Among Medicaid Children: California, 1992

Area of Science:

• Pediatric health services research
• Public health policy
• Injury epidemiology

Background:

• Limited data exists on injury incidence and costs for children covered by Medicaid.
• Understanding these costs is crucial for resource allocation and prevention strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide data on hospital utilization and associated costs for injuries among Medicaid-enrolled children in California.
• To identify high-risk groups for targeted injury prevention efforts.

Main Methods:

• Utilized the Health Care Financing Administration's (HCFA) State Medicaid Research Files for 1992 data.
• Analyzed hospitalizations, payments, and injury types for Medicaid children in California.

Main Results:

• Nearly 17,000 injury hospitalizations occurred, costing over $93 million.
• Fractures and dislocations were the most frequent causes of hospitalization.
• Disabled children and males aged 18-20 had the highest utilization rates.

Conclusions:

• Injury prevention programs are needed for Medicaid children, particularly for fractures and dislocations.
• Targeted interventions for disabled children and young males could reduce hospitalizations and costs.