The Doctor's (Not) Ready to See You: OB/GYN wait times for the publicly and privately insured

• In Event: 20820 - Section on Medical Sociology Roundtables
  In Refereed Roundtable (90 minute): Table 14. Healthcare Inequality

Abstract

Medicaid is a critical part of the U.S. social safety net and an essential tool for low-income Americans to access affordable healthcare. Despite the program’s importance, studies have found that those receiving Medicaid have less access to providers, decreased appointment availability, and longer wait times for appointments compared to the privately insured. Studies of specialty gynecological care have echoed these findings—pointing to longer wait times for publicly insured individuals. However, there has been no examination of whether there may be differences in wait times for Medicaid and privately insured patients accessing preventative reproductive services (i.e. contraception) versus those accessing pregnancy-related care—although there is ample evidence that healthcare systems prioritize fetal well-being over women’s reproductive care. We are conducting an audit study of obstetric and gynecological providers across the country—comparing wait times for privately insured and publicly insured individuals seeking long-term birth control (IUD or implant) and those seeking pregnancy-related care. In this study, we also assess geographic variability—paying particularly close attention to the way that wait times might be influenced by state abortion policies—something that has concerned reproductive justice activists and those within healthcare but has not been systematically examined.

Authors

• Anne McGlynn-Wright, Loyola University-New Orleans

• Juleea Berthelot, Loyola University-New Orleans