OBJECTIVES: We evaluated the health care utilization of limited English proficiency (LEP) compared to English proficient (EP) adults with the same health insurance (Medicaid managed care) and full access to professional medical interpreters. METHODS: Health care utilization over two years was compared for 567 LEP and 1162 EP adults. Multivariate analysis controlled for age, gender, months enrolled in Medicaid and morbidity. RESULTS: LEP compared to EP subjects were enrolled longer and more continuously in Medicaid, were 94% more likely to use primary care and 78% less likely to use the emergency department. Specialty visits and hospitalization did not differ. CONCLUSIONS: When language barriers are reduced and health insurance coverage is the same, LEP patients show ambulatory health care utilization associated with lower cost and more access to preventive care through establishing a primary care home.
OBJECTIVES: We evaluated the health care utilization of limited English proficiency (LEP) compared to English proficient (EP) adults with the same health insurance (Medicaid managed care) and full access to professional medical interpreters. METHODS: Health care utilization over two years was compared for 567 LEP and 1162 EP adults. Multivariate analysis controlled for age, gender, months enrolled in Medicaid and morbidity. RESULTS: LEP compared to EP subjects were enrolled longer and more continuously in Medicaid, were 94% more likely to use primary care and 78% less likely to use the emergency department. Specialty visits and hospitalization did not differ. CONCLUSIONS: When language barriers are reduced and health insurance coverage is the same, LEP patients show ambulatory health care utilization associated with lower cost and more access to preventive care through establishing a primary care home.
Authors: Elyse R Park; Jan E Mutchler; Giselle Perez; Roberta E Goldman; Halsey Niles; Vivian Haime; Cheyenne Fox Tree-McGrath; Mai See Yang; Daniel Woolridge; July Suarez; Karen Donelan; William F Pirl Journal: Psychooncology Date: 2016-05-16 Impact factor: 3.894
Authors: Clara M Lajonchere; Barbara Y Wheeler; Thomas W Valente; Cary Kreutzer; Aron Munson; Shrikanth Narayanan; Abe Kazemzadeh; Roxana Cruz; Irene Martinez; Sheree M Schrager; Lisa Schweitzer; Tara Chklovski; Darryl Hwang Journal: J Autism Dev Disord Date: 2016-03
Authors: Peng-Jun Lu; Alfonso Rodriguez-Lainz; Alissa O'Halloran; Stacie Greby; Walter W Williams Journal: Am J Prev Med Date: 2014-10-07 Impact factor: 5.043