Measuring Up? Access to care in Medi-Cal Compared to Other Types of Health Insurance [ucla.edu]

By Ninez A. Ponce, Susan H. Babey, Tara Becker, et al., UCLA Fielding School of Public Health, August 27, 2021

Summary:Medi-Cal is California’s Medicaid program, providing health insurance to Californians with low incomes, including about 40% of the state’s children, half of Californians with disabilities, over amillion seniors, and about one in six working adults. In total, the program covers around 13 million Californians, nearly one-third of the state’s population.

However, coverage alone does not guarantee access to health care services or affordability. To see how Californians with Medi-Cal coverage are faring in accessing health care, this report examines data from the 2017–2018 California Health Interview Survey (CHIS). This analysis focuses on one main question: Do Medi-Cal enrollees face greater difficulty accessing health care services than Californians with employer-sponsored insurance (ESI) or coverage purchased through the individual market (IM)?

Findings: The findings broadly suggest the need for improvement in several areas: ensuring a usual source of care, increasing the supply of providers that will take Medi-Cal patients, and facilitating access to specialists who will see Medi-Cal patients. Addressing these critical areas would help close the gaps in access to care for many California adults and children.

[Please click here to read the publication.]