Living near a Federally Qualified Health Center Benefits Dual-Eligible Patients

Access to primary care at such centers decreases use of emergency department and inpatient hospital services among patients eligible for both Medicaid and Medicare.

Patients with both Medicaid and Medicare insurance coverage (dual eligible) have higher morbidity and mortality than other insured groups. They also have higher rates of emergency department (ED) and hospital utilization, and as a result, account for more healthcare costs. To determine whether proximity to a federally qualified health center affects use of ED and inpatient services, researchers analyzed Medicare data for nearly 23 million encounters from 2008 to 2010.

Approximately 40% of dual-eligible patients did not live near a federally qualified health center. Of those who did, 85% did not use its services. Compared with nonuse of these centers, use of them was associated with fewer hospitalizations among elderly blacks (16% fewer), eld…

Reviewing Author

Jennifer L. Wiler, MD, MBA, FACEP

Disclosures

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesColorado Medical Society (Member, Board of Directors)

Jennifer L. Wiler, MD, MBA, FACEP

Disclosures

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesColorado Medical Society (Member, Board of Directors)

Living near a Federally Qualified Health Center Benefits Dual-Eligible Patients

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Reviewing Author