Recorded presentation

Hao Yu¹, Andrew Dick, PhD¹, and Peter G. Szilagyi². (1) Community and Preventive Medicine, University of Rochester, 601 Elmwood Avenue, Box644, Rochester, NY 14642, 585-275-3432, hao_yu@urmc.rochester.edu, (2) Department of Preventive Medicine and Department of Pediatrics, University of Rochester, 601 Elmwood Avenue, Box644, Rochester, NY 14642

Research Objective: This study aims to assess: (1). the proportion of children with special health care needs (CSHCN) who were eligible for the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) but uninsured, and (2). the difference in access to care among the SCHIP-eligible CSHCN by insurance status.

Study Design: Data were from the 2001 National Survey of CSHCN. SCHIP-eligibility was defined by age and income according to state-specific policies as of October 2000. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were performed.

Population studied:

38,866 CSHCN interviewed by the survey.

Principal Findings: Nationally, 8.2% of the SCHIP-eligible CSHCN, or 141,000, were uninsured in 2000. The SCHIP-eligible but uninsured CSHCN were less likely than those enrolled in SCHIP to have a personal health care provider (70.5% vs. 85.6%, P<0.001), more likely to have an unmet need (47.7% vs. 14.4%, P<0.05), and less satisfied with care (77.7% vs. 89.8%, P>0.05). After controlling for other patient features, the SCHIP-eligible but uninsured CSHCN were 5 times more likely to have unmet needs than the SCHIP-enrolled CSHCN.

The SCHIP-enrolled CSHCN were similar to CSHCN who were income-eligible for SCHIP but privately insured, in terms of unmet needs (14.4% vs. 12.1%, P>0.05) and of satisfaction with care (89.6% vs. 91.6%, P>0.05).

Conclusions:

A substantial number of CSHCN nationally were eligible for SCHIP but were uninsured, and these uninsured CSHCN were more likely to have problems in access to health care. The SCHIP-enrolled CSHCN resembled CSHCN who were income-eligible for SCHIP but privately insured in terms of unmet needs and satisfaction.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to

• Describe the role of the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) with regard to children with special health care needs (CSHCN).
• Evaluate unmet needs and satisfaction with care by CSHCN through analysis of the 2001 National Survey of Children with Special Health Care Needs.

Keywords: Access to Health Care, Children With Special Needs

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

Recorded presentation