Journal article
Purged from the Rolls: A Study of Medicaid Disenrollment in Iowa
Health equity, Vol.3(1), pp.637-643
12/01/2019
DOI: 10.1089/heq.2019.0093
PMCID: PMC6922057
PMID: 31872169
Abstract
Purpose:
To describe the impact of disenrollment from Medicaid because of failure to pay premiums as part of Iowa's Medicaid program's personal responsibility component.
Methods:
We conducted a mixed method study consisting of in-depth interviews with disenrolled members in 2016 and 2017 (
n
=72) and a survey of disenrolled members in 2017 (
n
=225).
Results:
Many disenrollees did not know why they were disenrolled, were unaware of the personal responsibility component or premium requirement, and were confused by the disenrollment process. Disenrollment had negative effects including stress, financial burden, and engaging in behaviors such as skipping medication and postponing medical or dental care. Furthermore, disenrollees were often unable to enroll in health insurance, and for those who did, many reported it was a difficult process.
Conclusions:
Disenrollment had numerous, negative impacts on members who failed to pay their premiums. There was confusion about program requirements, which might indicate challenges communicating about a complicated program. Policymakers need to consider how to design and implement personal responsibility programs to achieve their desired outcome and reduce confusion and negative consequences.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Purged from the Rolls: A Study of Medicaid Disenrollment in Iowa
- Creators
- Natoshia M Askelson - Department of Community and Behavioral Health, University of Iowa College of Public Health, Iowa City, Iowa. Public Policy Center, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IowaPatrick Brady - Department of Community and Behavioral Health, University of Iowa College of Public Health, Iowa City, Iowa. Public Policy Center, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IowaBrad Wright - Department of Family Medicine, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North CarolinaSuzanne Bentler - Public Policy Center, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IowaElizabeth T Momany - Public Policy Center, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IowaPeter Damiano - Public Policy Center, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Health equity, Vol.3(1), pp.637-643
- DOI
- 10.1089/heq.2019.0093
- PMID
- 31872169
- PMCID
- PMC6922057
- NLM abbreviation
- Health Equity
- ISSN
- 2473-1242
- eISSN
- 2473-1242
- Publisher
- Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 12/01/2019
- Academic Unit
- Preventive and Community Dentistry; Health Management and Policy; College of Public Health; Injury Prevention Research Center; Public Policy Center (Archive); Community and Behavioral Health; University College Courses
- Record Identifier
- 9984214947102771
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