Official Title: Medicaid Retention and Health Literacy Level of Applications: Comparison of All 50 States
Research Lead: Susmita Pati, MD, MPH
Supported by: National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
Background
Despite recent efforts, one-quarter to one-third of Medicaid-eligible children lose health coverage in any given year. Even short gaps in health care coverage for children have been associated with inadequate health care utilization and, in turn, poor child health outcomes. Several studies have determined that the Medicaid renewal process itself contributes to low retention rates. This study aims to improve understanding of factors that may increase child Medicaid retention rates, especially among vulnerable groups of children.
Aims
- Determine Medicaid retention rates in every state and Washington, D.C.
- Determine Medicaid retention rates among vulnerable groups of children.
- Determine the independent effect of individual- and state-level factors on Medicaid retention rates.
Methods
Study Design: Retrospective cohort study combining secondary data analysis of 2001-2002 administrative Medicaid eligibility files obtained from the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) with primary data about state-level Medicaid renewal process characteristics
Population: Children aged 1-18 who were enrolled in Medicaid in 2001 or 2002.
Progress
Analysis of the relationship between state- and individual-level variables and retention in Medicaid is ongoing.
Results from this analysis have been presented at:
- Pati S, Kavanagh J, Song L, Luan X. Literacy Level of Medicaid Applications and Child Medicaid Retention Rates: Comparison Across 50 States. Poster Presentation. The Health Literacy Annual Research Conference. Washington, DC. October 19, 2009.
