Access to care for the uninsured: is access to a physician enough?
OBJECTIVE
This study examined a private-sector, statewide program (Kentucky Physicians Care) of care for uninsured indigent persons regarding provision of preventive services.


METHODS
A survey was conducted of a stratified random sample of 2509 Kentucky adults (811 with private insurance, 849 Medicaid recipients, 849 Kentucky Physicians Care recipients).


RESULTS
The Kentucky Physicians Care group had significantly lower rates of receipt of preventive services. Of the individuals in this group, 52% cited cost as the primary reason for not receiving mammography, and 38% had not filled prescribed medicines in the previous year.


CONCLUSIONS
Providing free access to physicians fills important needs but is not sufficient for many uninsured patients to receive necessary preventive services.
Mainous
A G
AG
Department of Family Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston 29425, USA. mainouag@musc.edu
Hueston
W J
WJ
Love
M M
MM
Griffith
C H
CH
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D017048:Health Care Costs / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D007629:Kentucky; D008297:Male; D008489:Medical Indigency / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D017057:Medically Uninsured / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008875:Middle Aged; D009819:Office Visits; D011314:Preventive Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D017149:Private Sector / Q000458:organization & administration*; D015397:Program Evaluation; D013221:State Health Plans / Q000458:organization & administration*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States