Becoming less usual: understanding the decline in the number of people with a usual source of care

Becoming less usual: understanding the decline in the number of people with a usual source of care

Collection:
Health Policy and Services Research
Author(s):
Tavares, Jane L., author
Cohen, Marc A., author
Contributor(s):
Milbank Memorial Fund, issuing body.
Publication:
New York, NY : Milbank Memorial Fund, September 2023
Language(s):
English
Format:
Text
Subject(s):
Aged
Healthcare Disparities -- ethnology
Healthcare Disparities -- trends
Managed Care Programs
Patient-Centered Care -- trends
Social Determinants of Health
Socioeconomic Factors
United States
Genre(s):
Technical Report
Abstract:
Having a usual source of care (USC)--a health professional or care location where one can go if sick or in need of medical advice--is a key component of achieving better health outcomes and having a more positive experience with the health care system. Using data from the nationally representative Health and Retirement Study (HRS), this study examines recent trends (2014-2020) in the use of a USC among those age 50 and older, with a focus on racial/ethnic disparities and other socio-demographic characteristics, including type of health insurance coverage. The analysis found that people with a USC tend to be wealthier, White, and generally healthier than those without a USC. Between 2014 and 2020 there has been a decline in the use of a USC across all groups except for those enrolled in managed care. Results showed that people tend to either gain or lose a USC with major life changes, and that being a per son of color was associated with higher odds of losing a USC as were decreases in income. Finally, although individuals with a USC used more health care services overall, there was no evidence that they utilized high-cost hospital services more than those without a USC.
Copyright:
Reproduced with permission of the copyright holder. Further use of the material is subject to CC BY license. (More information)
Extent:
1 online resource (1 PDF file (15 pages))
Illustrations:
Illustrations
NLM Unique ID:
9918734076706676 (See catalog record)
Permanent Link:
http://resource.nlm.nih.gov/9918734076706676