Impact of Medicaid expansion on access and healthcare among individuals with sickle cell disease.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is associated with high acute healthcare utilization. The purpose of this study was to examine whether Medicaid expansion in California increased Medicaid enrollment, increased hydroxyurea prescriptions filled, and decreased acute healthcare utilization in SCD.

Methods

Individuals with SCD (≤65 years and enrolled in Medicaid for ≥6 total calendar months any year between 2011 and 2016) were identified in a multisource database maintained by the California Sickle Cell Data Collection Program. We describe trends and changes in Medicaid enrollment, hydroxyurea prescriptions filled, and emergency department (ED) visits and hospital admissions before (2011-2013) and after (2014-2016) Medicaid expansion in California.

Results

The cohort incl

SUBMITTER: Kayle M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7096276 | biostudies-literature | 2020 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature