Cathy S Elrod1, Gerben DeJong. 1. Department of Physical Therapy, Marymount University, Arlington, VA 22207, USA. cathy.elrod@marymount.edu
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To determine which variables influence the receipt of physical rehabilitation services (ie, physical, occupational, speech therapy) for a population of people with chronic and disabling conditions. DESIGN: A convenience sample of 502 adults with cerebral palsy (CP), multiple sclerosis (MS), and spinal cord injury (SCI), drawn from diverse parts of the United States. SETTING: Respondents were surveyed in the general community. PARTICIPANTS: Persons (91% under the age of 65 y) with CP, MS, or SCI who responded to the 1999 component of a national longitudinal survey. INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Self-reported need for physical rehabilitation services. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were used to examine variables that influenced utilization of services. RESULTS: Some 53% of respondents did not receive self-reported needed physical rehabilitation services. Respondents who had Medicaid were more likely than those with Medicare or private insurance to receive physical rehabilitation services. Respondents having a lower household income and poorer health were less likely to receive services. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that health care funding sources provide widely disparate coverage for physical rehabilitation services to persons with 3 specific chronic and disabling conditions. Policy-makers and health plan administrators should re-evaluate their coverage of physical rehabilitation services designed to enhance quality of life and reduce the burden of lost independence.
OBJECTIVE: To determine which variables influence the receipt of physical rehabilitation services (ie, physical, occupational, speech therapy) for a population of people with chronic and disabling conditions. DESIGN: A convenience sample of 502 adults with cerebral palsy (CP), multiple sclerosis (MS), and spinal cord injury (SCI), drawn from diverse parts of the United States. SETTING: Respondents were surveyed in the general community. PARTICIPANTS: Persons (91% under the age of 65 y) with CP, MS, or SCI who responded to the 1999 component of a national longitudinal survey. INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Self-reported need for physical rehabilitation services. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were used to examine variables that influenced utilization of services. RESULTS: Some 53% of respondents did not receive self-reported needed physical rehabilitation services. Respondents who had Medicaid were more likely than those with Medicare or private insurance to receive physical rehabilitation services. Respondents having a lower household income and poorer health were less likely to receive services. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that health care funding sources provide widely disparate coverage for physical rehabilitation services to persons with 3 specific chronic and disabling conditions. Policy-makers and health plan administrators should re-evaluate their coverage of physical rehabilitation services designed to enhance quality of life and reduce the burden of lost independence.
Authors: Stephen P Gulley; Elizabeth K Rasch; Barbara M Altman; Christina D Bethell; Adam C Carle; Benjamin G Druss; Amy J Houtrow; Amanda Reichard; Leighton Chan Journal: Disabil Health J Date: 2017-08-08 Impact factor: 2.554
Authors: Stephen P Gulley; Elizabeth K Rasch; Christina D Bethell; Adam C Carle; Benjamin G Druss; Amy J Houtrow; Amanda Reichard; Leighton Chan Journal: Disabil Health J Date: 2018-01-10 Impact factor: 2.554