J Korean Biol Nurs Sci.  2016 Aug;18(3):144-152. 10.7586/jkbns.2016.18.3.144.

Health Status and Health Service Utilization: Barriers and Facilitators for Korea Medicaid Beneficiaries

• Bae SH
• Choi EO
• Lee IS
• Lee IY
• Chun CM

• KMID: 2350931
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.7586/jkbns.2016.18.3.144

Abstract

PURPOSE
This study compares beneficiaries of Korean Medicaid with those under the National Health Insurance program, seeking to understand how each group utilizes their healthcare.
METHODS
Data were obtained from a Health Promotion Survey in 2005. Health status was measured by the respondents' perception of health. Health service utilization included the availability of healthcare services, the type of healthcare institution, and intent to revisit. Predisposing and enabling factors, as well as health care needs were used for this study.
RESULTS
Compared to National Health Insurance beneficiaries, Medicaid beneficiaries reported lower levels of health status and fewer enabling factors. They had more chronic diseases and disabilities. Education level, existence of chronic diseases, exercise patterns, and disabilities were associated with health status.
CONCLUSION
We found that Medicaid beneficiaries had fewer resources and higher levels of health needs. As Medicaid is reformed, policy makers and administrators should understand healthcare utilization behaviors of Medicaid beneficiaries and the factors hindering access to care.

Keyword

Healthcare utilization; Health policy; Self-rated health; Health disparity

MeSH Terms

Administrative Personnel
Causality
Chronic Disease
Delivery of Health Care
Education
Health Policy
Health Promotion
Health Services*
Humans
Korea*
Medicaid*
National Health Programs