The Effect of Medicaid on Dental Care of Poor Adults: Evidence from the Oregon Health Insurance Experiment.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

To evaluate the effect of Medicaid coverage on dental care outcomes, a major health concern for low-income populations.

Data sources

Primary and secondary data on health care use and outcomes for participants in Oregon's 2008 Medicaid lottery.

Study design

We used the lottery's random selection to gauge the causal effects of Medicaid on dental care needs, medication, and emergency department visits for dental care.

Data collection

Data were collected for lottery participants over 2 years, including mail surveys (N = 23,777) and in-person questionnaires (N = 12,229). Emergency department (ED) records were matched to lottery participants in Portland (N = 24,646).

Principal findings

Medicaid coverage significantly reduced the share of respondents

SUBMITTER: Baicker K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6052006 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature