The Implications of Unmet Need for Future Health Care Use: Findings for a Sample of Disabled Medicaid Beneficiaries in New York

The Implications of Unmet Need for Future Health Care Use: Findings fora Sample of Disabled Medicaid Beneficiaries in New YorkSharon K. Long, Jennifer King Rice, Teresa A. CoughlinThis study uses survey data linked with claims data toexamine the consequences of unmet need for future healthcare use for a sample of disabled Medicaid beneficiaries. Thefindings show that self-reported unmet need is a strongpredictor of future health care use for disabled Medicaidbeneficiaries, including a greater reliance on emergency rooms and hospital care for conditions thatpotentially could be handled in less expensive settings. Addressing the barriers to care that underlie unmetneed could generate cost savings to Medicaid and provide better health outcomes for program beneficiaries.(Inquiry, 42, 4, Winter 2005/2006. pp. 413-420)Other Publications by the AuthorsSharon K. Long Jennifer King Rice Teresa A. Coughlin Usage and reprints: Most publications may be downloaded free of charge from the web site and may be used and copiesmade for research, academic, policy or other non-commercial purposes. Proper attribution is required. Posting UI researchpapers on other websites is permitted subject to prior approval from the Urban Institute—contact publicaffairs@urban.org.If you are unable to access or print the PDF document please contact us or call the Publications Office at (202) 261-5687.Disclaimer: The nonpartisan Urban Institute publishes studies, reports, and books on timely topics worthy of publicconsideration. The views expressed are those of the authors and should not be attributed to the Urban Institute, itstrustees, or its funders. Copyright of the written materials contained within the Urban Institute website is owned orcontrolled by the Urban Institute. Document date: May 31, 2006Released online: May 31, 2006Source: The Urban Institute, © 2012 | http://www.urban.org