Access, knowledge, utilization, and attitudes toward reproductive health services among women and health plan managers

Abstract Type: Work in Progress

BACKGROUND: The Affordable Care Act mandates women's preventive services must be covered by health plans with no cost sharing. In light of this policy change, this study will examine access, utilization, knowledge, and attitudes toward reproductive health services among women and health plan managers. OBJECTIVES: This study is designed to determine self-reported access to reproductive health services, as well as investigate the factors which predict access and utilization of these services. In addition, women and health plan managers will be surveyed to measure knowledge of reproductive health services and attitudes toward health plan coverage of these services. METHODS: The study will utilize a cross-sectional survey, and modified Dillman method. The survey will be distributed to national random samples of both women and health plan managers. Prior to this, face and content validity of the instrument will be assessed and a pilot study will be conducted. OUTCOMES: Reported outcomes will include the reproductive health services to which women have access, barriers to access of these services, and rates of utilization for the services. Women's and health plan managers' knowledge of reproductive health will be reported. Attitudes regarding which services should be covered by health plans will be compared between women and health plan managers. The data will be analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-tests, and chi-squared tests. Regression models will determine which factors predict access and utilization. Additionally, reported access and utilization will be compared to standards in Healthy People 2020.