Insurance coverage, usual source of care, and receipt of clinically indicated care for comorbid conditions among adults living with human immunodeficiency virus

Med Care. 2005 Apr;43(4):401-10. doi: 10.1097/01.mlr.0000156850.86917.f8.

Abstract

Background and objectives: Associations of insurance coverage and source of care with use of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-related health, mental health, and substance abuse services are examined in a large, diverse, highly active antiretroviral therapy-era cohort.

Methods: Adults who were infected with HIV (n = 3818) were interviewed in clinics and community agencies in Los Angeles, Milwaukee, New York, and San Francisco regarding drug use behaviors, health status, and health care utilization.

Results: Most participants were insured by Medicaid. During the previous 3 months, 90% of privately insured, 87% of publicly insured, and 78% of uninsured participants had visited any provider. Publicly and privately insured participants were similar in receipt of antiretrovirals, prophylaxis against Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia, substance abuse services, and antidepressants. Uninsured participants were less likely to receive antiretrovirals but were more likely to use substance abuse services. Participants with no usual source of care were less likely to receive PCP prophylaxis.

Conclusions: A lack of insurance is associated with barriers to care, but the advantage of private over public coverage appears smaller than in previous studies. PCP prophylaxis, substance abuse treatment, and antidepressants remain markedly underutilized. Educational initiatives about these treatments targeting providers and patients are indicated.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / economics
  • AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / prevention & control
  • Adult
  • Ambulatory Care Facilities / statistics & numerical data
  • Anti-Retroviral Agents / therapeutic use
  • Antibiotic Prophylaxis / statistics & numerical data
  • Antidepressive Agents / therapeutic use
  • Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active / statistics & numerical data
  • Depression / economics
  • Depression / epidemiology
  • Depression / prevention & control
  • Female
  • HIV Infections / complications*
  • HIV Infections / economics*
  • HIV Infections / therapy
  • Health Maintenance Organizations / statistics & numerical data
  • Health Services / statistics & numerical data*
  • Health Services Accessibility / economics*
  • Humans
  • Insurance Coverage*
  • Insurance, Health*
  • Male
  • Medicaid*
  • Pneumonia, Pneumocystis / economics
  • Pneumonia, Pneumocystis / prevention & control
  • Private Practice / statistics & numerical data
  • Substance-Related Disorders / economics
  • Substance-Related Disorders / epidemiology
  • Substance-Related Disorders / prevention & control
  • United States / epidemiology

Substances

  • Anti-Retroviral Agents
  • Antidepressive Agents