The Effects of Community Health Center Care on Medical Expenditures for Children and Adults: Propensity Score Analyses. Issue 2 (April 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bruen, Brian K.; Ku, Leighton
• Is Part Of: Journal of ambulatory care management. Volume 42:Issue 2(2019)
• Publication Date: 2019-04
• Subjects: Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) -- community health center (CHC) -- Federally Qualified Health Center -- Medicaid -- medical expenditures -- rural health center -- safety net -- uninsured; Ambulatory medical care -- Administration -- Periodicals; Ambulatory medical care -- United States -- Administration -- Periodicals; Community health services -- Administration -- Periodicals; Community health services -- United States -- Administration -- Periodicals; Health planning -- Periodicals; Health planning -- United States -- Periodicals; 362.12
• DOI: 10.1097/JAC.0000000000000263
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0148-9917

Abstract

Abstract : This study examines whether community health center (CHC) patients have lower medical expenditures. Using 2011-2012 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey data, propensity score methods are used to compare annual expenditures for adults and children receiving at least half their ambulatory care at CHCs versus those who did not. For children, CHC use was associated with 35.3% lower total medical expenditures ($627), 40.0% lower ambulatory expenditures ($279), and 49.1% lower prescription drug expenditures ($157) (all P s < .05). For adults, the reduction in hospital expenditures for CHC users ($529) was statistically significant at a P < .10 threshold. Estimated differences in total expenditures and other expenditure categories were not statistically significant for adults.