328080
Analyzing historical trends and identifying potential impacts of the Affordable Care Act on Title X family planning centers
The Federal Title X Program funds quality family planning and reproductive health services at over 4,000 health centers in the U.S., primarily serving low income populations. Health system changes as a result of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) will impact Title X centers. Massachusetts underwent comprehensive health reform in 2006 and may be used to predict trends in Title X.
objectives:
Assess historical trends in revenue sources, client volume, and client insurance statuses at Title X health centers from 2005 – 2013, and determine potential impacts from the ACA on Title X providers.
methods:
Data from the Family Planning Annual Reports from 2005 through 2013 were analyzed using generalized estimating equations (GEE) to examine average Title X revenues, patient volume, and insurance status over time, and compared to trends in Massachusetts. Data from 2014 will be analyzed prior to presentation.
results:
Average patient volume declined significantly from 2005-2013 for all providers (including MA). Publicly and privately insured patients increased significantly for Massachusetts providers. Uninsured patients in Massachusetts dropped significantly after 2006, but remained high. Average revenue from Title X and self-paying patients declined everywhere, while revenue from Medicaid and private insurance rose in Massachusetts.
conclusion:
Revenue sources and client volumes have shifted nationally, prior to the implementation of the ACA. Title X may continue to see a disproportionately high number of uninsured patients. Shifts in payer mix may occur without increases in total revenue for Title X providers, necessitating continued need for federal funding.
Learning Areas:
Provision of health care to the publicPublic health administration or related administration
Public health or related laws, regulations, standards, or guidelines
Public health or related research
Learning Objectives:
Demonstrate trend analysis by comparing the health reform experience in Massachusetts to national Title X centers to determine how national health reform may impact the rest of the Title X network.
Define the potential impacts from the Affordable Care Act on Title X family planning centers and identify potential impact to other safety net providers.
Keyword(s): Reproductive Health, Affordable Care Act
Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I hold a Master of Public Health graduate degree in epidemiology and biostatistics. I held a student fellowship with the Department of Health & Human Services to conduct the research presented in this abstract, and presented the research to colleagues at the Office of Population Affairs as well as to the Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics at George Washington University. I was awarded my MPH upon completion of this successful research project.
Any relevant financial relationships? No
I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.