An urban school based comparative study of experiences and perceptions differentiating public health insurance eligible immigrant families with and without coverage for their children.
BACKGROUND
We explore why some low income immigrant families enroll in government financed health insurance plans for their children, while others also eligible do not enroll.


METHODS
Our team conducted and analyzed audiotaped semi-structured interviews with families of 8 insured and 10 uninsured children focused on knowledge of and experience with seeking health insurance coverage.


RESULTS
Common among families not enrolled in government sponsored plans were misperceptions about the insurance system, including a suspicion of the government monitoring them and/or lack of familiarity with the concept of insurance itself. Among families that did enroll, the predominant theme was the essential role of their sponsor, other kin or community in educating and assisting them with the application process.


CONCLUSIONS
Prior research has identified external obstacles to enrollment. Our findings indicate the additional importance of facilitating social support, particularly from sponsors in mentoring new arrivals through the process of seeking insurance coverage.
Rhee
Yoona
Y
University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA.
Belmonte
Frank
F
Weiner
Saul J
SJ
D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002662:Child Health Services / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D002669:Child Welfare / Q000208:ethnology*; D054242:Emigrants and Immigrants / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D007348:Insurance, Health; D008297:Male; D008483:Medical Assistance / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D017057:Medically Uninsured / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012944:Social Support; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014481:United States; D014505:Urban Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*