Managed Care Penetration and the Use of Screening Mammography by Uninsured Women
Abstract
Between 1991 and 1997, the rate of mammography among uninsured women decreased in 30% of states. This decline may be due to the influx of managed care in many communities, which has eroded the ability of uninsured women to receive primary care, reduced the availability of mammography facilities, and increased waiting times for mammography. In this study we propose to examine whether there is an association between managed care penetration and rates of mammography among uninsured women between 50 and 64 years of age. We will compare these rates to mammography rates for women aged 50-69 with private or public coverage, including Medicare. To examine these hypotheses, we are conducting a longitudinal study using data from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC's) Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), InterStudy, and the Area Resource File (ARF) of the Bureau of Health Professions for the years 1997 to 2000. The results of our study may reveal opportunities for policymakers to intervene to reduce breast cancer morbidity and mortality among women, and prompt researchers to investigate the impact of other market factors on the use of mammography.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 2002
- Accession Number
- ADA407552
Entities
People
- Pushkal P. Garg
Organizations
- Harvard Medical School