Provider Effects on Racial/Ethnic Disparity in the Florida Medicaid Population

Publication Date: 6/1/2006

Description:

National studies report that minorities experience more barriers to care, a greater incidence of chronic disease, lower quality of care, and higher mortality than other groups. They are also less likely to use mental health services (Padgett, Patrick, Burns, 1994; Matsuoka, Breaux, & Ryujin, 1997; Snowden, 1999). Similar findings in the Florida Medicaid population have been observed (Chen, Chen, & Mehra, 2005). Simply having insurance coverage is not sufficient for ensuring access to needed health services for individuals, especially for disadvantaged minorities. Other factors such as provider availability, reliable transportation, provider's communication with minorities and culturally competent practice are important factors related to health disparity (van Ryn, 2002). "Doctors wanted do not take Medicaid," "long waiting list," and "lack of transportation" are three of the more frequently identified barriers by Florida Medicaid recipients, especially among non- Hispanic Black adults and caregivers of both Black and Hispanic Medicaid children. These findings prompt us to further investigate answers for "Whether doctors don't take Medicaid" and "long waiting lists" could be related to the limited providers in the area as well as "How are the geographical location of Medicaid providers compatible to geographical distribution of Medicaid beneficiaries?" which can be related to access barrier "lack of transportation."