Healthcare Coverage for Adults with Intellectual Disabilities: National Health Interview Survey 2006-2010

Background: Although some reports have shown disparities in healthcare (HC) for persons with intellectual disabilities (ID) compared to persons with no disabilities (ND), this has not been examined in a national representative sample. The purpose of this study is to examine HC coverage among non-institutionalized US adults (18+ years) with and without ID. Methods: Using the 2006-2010 National Health Interview Survey data, weighted proportions and logistic regression analyses were conducted to describe HC coverage and delayed care due to cost comparing adults with ID (n=1,350) to ND (n=207,393). Results: Adults with ID were more likely to have HC coverage than adults with ND after adjusting for sex, race, age, and working status (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 1.65, 95% CI 1.22, 2.23). A higher proportion of adults with ID (77%) than with ND (10%) reported Medicaid coverage. Adults with ID were also more likely to delay medical care owning to cost than adults with ND (AOR 3.89, 95% CI 3.16, 4.78), after controlling for demographics, working status, and HC coverage. Although adjusting for Medicaid coverage attenuated the association, adults with ID were still more likely to delay care owning to cost than adults with ND (AOR 1.45, 95% CI 1.17, 1.80). Conclusion: Non-institutionalized US adults with ID are more likely to have insurance coverage and more likely to delay receiving care due to costs than adults with ND. Research is needed to determine the impact of quality of care and delayed care on health outcomes for adults with ID.