From 2005 to 2010, the rate of emergency department visits by California adults increased more among Medicaid beneficiaries than among uninsured patients, according to a study in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
A review of state data found visits by California adults aged 19 to 64 increased by 13.2 percent each year from 2005 to 2010. Total ED visits per 1,000 California residents increased 8.3 percent per year.
While ED visit rates per population increased among patients in all payer groups (Medicaid, private insurance and self-pay or uninsured), the increase was highest among Medicaid patients. From 2005 to 2010, Medicaid patients' ED visit rates increased 13.9 percent from 572 to 651 per 1,000 population, while privately insured patients' visit rates increased from 158 to 164 per 1,000 population and uninsured patients' visit rates increased from 242 to 259 per 1,000 population.
The same trend occurred for ambulatory care-sensitive conditions, suggesting decreased access to primary care, the authors wrote.
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