Objectives: (1) To compare patterns of preventive service utilization by adults with disabilities who are enrolled in managed care (MC) and fee-for-service (FFS) health plans. (2) To compare patterns of preventive service utilization between people with and without disabilities. Methods: We analyzed data from the 1996 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS), examining nine indicators of preventive services (dental checkups, blood pressure check, cholesterol check, complete physical, prostate exam, pap smear, breast exam, mammogram, and flu shot). We first differentiated adult respondents with and without ADL limitations. Within each of these subsamples, we compared preventive service utilization patterns between respondents covered by MC and FFS plans. Results: Our preliminary findings indicate that (1) Among people without ADL limitations, those covered by MC plans are more likely than their counterparts in FFS plans to utilize preventive services. (2) Among people with ADL limitations, persons in MC plans are less likely to utilize preventive services than their counterparts in FFS plans. Conclusions: Persons with disabilities who do not receive timely preventive services have an increased risk for developing costly, disabling secondary conditions. Persons with disabilities in managed care may need to be more closely monitored to insure that they receive annual preventive care. More research and action is needed to investigate and vigorously address attitudinal and environmental barriers to timely utilization of preventive services by adults with disabilities.
Learning Objectives: 1) Describe patterns of preventive service utilization among people with severe disabilities. 2) Recognize disparities in preventive service utilization patterns by type of health plan. 3) Address potential barriers to utilization of preventive healthcare services by people with disabilities
Keywords: Disability, Managed Care
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: National Rehabilitation Hospital Center for Health and Disability Research
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.