The high cost for Wisconsin: underinsured seek emergency departments to fulfill dental needs
File(s)
Date
2017-09-29Author
Baez Scheeler, Kathryn
Advisor(s)
Filipova, Anna
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
Out of desperation and often the need for pain relief, underinsured citizens are utilizing
emergency departments across the state of Wisconsin to satisfy their need to seek dental
treatment. These visits result in poor pain management and no relief for the problem. The
Medicaid program of the state of Wisconsin offers dentists no incentive to accept
Medicaid recipients; dentists cite low reimbursement rates that do not cover their basic
costs. Due to unorthodox state legislation, emergency department visits are being
financially supported by millions of Wisconsin taxpayer dollars. The purpose of this
study is to examine the level of access to dental care that underinsured citizens have in
three areas of Wisconsin- Milwaukee, Wausau, and the Fox Valley. A convenience
sample was used to collect data from patients who were in waiting rooms at community
health centers in Milwaukee (MLK Heritage Health Center), Wausau (Bridge
Community Health Clinic), and the Fox Valley (Partnership Community Health Center).
Data analysis was based on 285 surveys completed by patients over the period of three
years. Descriptive statistics and Pearson’s Chi-squared analyses were carried out, using
Version 21 of SPSS. The findings indicate that a sizable number of participants (32%)
had used an emergency department at least once when requiring dental care. P88
atients, regardless of race/ethnicity were seeking out dental services further away from
their homes, while patients on Medicaid had to contact more dentists before they could
find one that would accept Medicaid. Further, those who identified as being at or below
the poverty level and those with Medicaid insurance were more likely to go to the
emergency department for a dental reason. Moreover, Blacks were more likely than
Caucasians to use city transportation than a personal vehicle to go to a dentist. The study
also found that those who pulled their tooth instead of seeking treatment to save money
and those who had been told that it was cheaper to pull a tooth than to save it were more
likely to visit the emergency department. These findings imply that adequacy of
Medicaid reimbursement rates is questionable. Patients enrolled in Medicaid programs
cannot easily locate and utilize dental services they need. It would be fiscally responsible
for the state government to increase dental Medicaid reimbursement. As a result, access
to dental care and preventive dental treatments for Medicaid patients would increase.
Permanent Link
http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1793/76942Description
A Thesis Submitted In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements For the Degree of Master of Public Administration in Health Agency Administration