Disparities in Patient Experience of Care Between Children Enrolled in Medicaid-Managed Care Organizations

Area of Science:

• Health Services Research
• Health Disparities Research
• Pediatric Health Outcomes

Background:

• Patient experience is a critical indicator of healthcare quality.
• Racial, ethnic, and geographic factors may influence healthcare access and quality for children in managed care.
• Understanding these disparities is crucial for equitable healthcare delivery.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the relationship between patient experience outcomes and race, ethnicity, and geographic region among Medicaid children in managed care.
• To identify specific disparities in patient experiences based on demographic and geographic factors.
• To inform policy interventions for improving care for underserved populations.

Main Methods:

• Utilized 2019 Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CAHPS) data for Medicaid children.
• Employed logistic regression models to analyze patient experience outcomes.
• Examined data across nine U.S. Census divisions to assess geographic variations.

Main Results:

• Racial and ethnic minority groups reported significantly less favorable patient experiences compared to non-Hispanic Whites.
• Healthcare experiences varied significantly across geographic divisions, with regions having fewer non-Hispanic White individuals showing greater disparities.
• Hispanic children in the Western U.S. reported the most negative healthcare experiences.

Conclusions:

• Significant disparities in patient experience exist for racial and ethnic minority children within Medicaid managed care.
• Geographic location and the racial/ethnic composition of a region are associated with these disparities.
• Targeted interventions are needed to improve access to quality care and reduce inequities for minority children.