Medical Student University of Washington School of Medicine Mill Creek, Washington, United States
Objectives: This study examines systemic practices that contribute to healthcare access delays for Medicaid patients, exploring whether these practices result in adverse health consequences. The purpose is to assess the impact of prioritizing other insurance types over Medicaid in appointment scheduling, a common practice based on perceived higher cancellation rates among Medicaid patients.
Design: We conducted a literature review analyzing recent studies on Medicaid patient appointment accessibility and no-show rates. Bhavsar et al. (2021) reported on no-shows in physical therapy for musculoskeletal issues, noting a 73% overall no-show rate, with Medicaid patients missing appointments at a significantly higher rate (84%) than those with other insurance types. Hsiang (2019) performed a meta-analysis to compare appointment access disparities, finding that Medicaid patients were 1.6 times less likely to obtain primary care appointments and 3.3 times less likely to secure specialty appointments than privately insured patients. Finally, Odonkor (2017) highlighted demographic and environmental factors contributing to missed appointments in Medicaid populations, underscoring barriers beyond insurance status.
Results: The findings demonstrate consistent barriers to timely care for Medicaid patients, with a trend of delayed or restricted appointment availability leading to potentially compromised health outcomes. The data highlights that Medicaid patients’ access is systematically disadvantaged due to prioritization practices based on insurance type.
Conclusions: This review underscores a need for policy reforms to address systemic biases in healthcare access for Medicaid patients. By examining the impact of current practices, the findings suggest that improvements in scheduling systems and reduction of no-show stigma could enhance healthcare outcomes for Medicaid populations. Further research is recommended to develop targeted interventions that support equitable access across all insurance types.
