Elina Sashidhar
Research Mentor: Michelle Ferrez
Mentor Department: UROP, LSA
Author(s): Not Available
Session: Session 5 (2:00 PM – 2:50 PM)
Presentation Type: Poster 138
Abstract
Socioeconomic status (SES) and geographical location play a critical role in access to care for Medicare-eligible individuals; however, concerns have emerged about whether current policies accurately reflect the needs of all populations, like ethnic and lower-income populations who have experienced persistent inequalities despite growing enrollment. More specifically, previous research has shown that Part C (Medicare Advantage) and Part D (prescription drug coverage), may introduce barriers to access for groups such as African American and Latino populations.
Previous research from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) used a 5-star rating system to evaluate Medicare plans and found no strong association between SES and access to Medicare’s Part D program. However, more recent research suggests that this finding is limited by the unquantifiable nature of SES factors and the exclusion of federal policy changes in the last decade. This study aims to use secondary research to clearly define how SES indicators impact more recent Part C and D policies, and to examine possible associations between SES and Medicare Advantage plan availability across Michigan counties.
To conduct this study, public data sets from CMS, the American Community Survey (ACS), etc., were used to identify patterns of inequity through cost disparities. These patterns help identify gaps in historical policies that have led to the evolution of supplemental programs over time. By incorporating this data into policy analysis, this research illustrates how Medicare structures have disproportionately affected minority beneficiaries, to provide efforts towards more equitable healthcare access.
