Health Insurance Coverage Predicts Health Care Use among Latine Immigrants in Two Policy Contexts

Area of Science:

• Health Services Research
• Health Economics
• Immigrant Health

Background:

• Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) serve vulnerable populations, including low-income Latine immigrants.
• Understanding the relationship between health insurance coverage and healthcare utilization is crucial for this demographic.
• Previous research has not fully elucidated how fluctuating insurance status affects diverse healthcare service use among Latine immigrants.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the association between changes in health insurance coverage and healthcare utilization patterns.
• To compare healthcare use among Latine immigrants in Washington D.C. with a universal insurance option versus a neighboring county without one.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of electronic health record (EHR) data from 2016-2019.
• Utilized descriptive regression and within-client fixed effects models.
• Data sourced from an FQHC serving predominantly low-income Latine immigrants.

Main Results:

• Clients with higher proportions of insured visits averaged more medical visits and interpreter services.
• Increased insurance coverage correlated with fewer mental health and care coordination visits.
• Latine immigrants in D.C. (universal insurance option) had higher coverage (89%) and more medical visits than those in a neighboring county.

Conclusions:

• Health insurance coverage significantly influences the type and volume of healthcare services utilized by Latine immigrants.
• While insurance increases access to medical and interpreter services, it may decrease utilization of mental health and care coordination.
• Universal health insurance options appear to improve coverage rates and increase medical visit frequency for this population.