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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Robin A. Cohen, PhD, National Center for Health Statistics, CDC, 3311 Toledo Road, Room 2122, Hyattsville, MD 20782, 301-458-4152, RZC6@cdc.gov and Michael E. Martinez, MPH, MHSA, National Center for Health Statistics, 3311 Toledo Rd. Room 2332, Hyattsville, MD 20782.

Data from the 2004 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS), a nationally representative sample of the U.S. civilian non-institutionalized population are used in this study. Data are derived from the Family Core component, which collects information on all family members in each household and the Sample Adult component of the NHIS, where one adult is selected per family and asked additional questions. The study population includes 6,019 sample adults aged 65 years and above who provided information about their health.

Using the 2004 NHIS data, in 2004, 26% of these older adults were covered by a managed healthcare arrangement. This presentation will explore differences in access to health care among older adults, comparing Managed Care (MC) to Fee-For-Service (FFS), as well as comparing Private Insurance, Medicare, and Medicaid. Outcome measures include flu/pneumoccal vaccinations, visits to doctors' offices, dental visits, use of medical specialists, unmet healthcare needs due to cost, and non-medical barriers to receiving care. In addition, selected socio-demographic variables will be incorporated.

Results show that while 96% of older adults had a regular source of care, only 64% received a flu vaccination. For the Medicare-only group, 65% of older adults in MC arrangements received a flu vaccination, while only 57% of those in a FFS arrangement received a flu vaccination. For older adults with Private Insurance, 70% in MC and 68% in FFS arrangements received a flu vaccination, and for older adults with Medicaid, the comparable figures were 55% and 50%.

Learning Objectives:

• Audience will understand the implications of an older adult receiving their health care under a managed care arrangement on use of health care services

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Not Answered