Health Insurance Coverage and Access to Care Among Older Immigrants: Evidence from the NHIS 2020–2023

• In Event: Medical Sociology Section Roundtables
  In Refereed Roundtable (90 minute): Table 22. Health Insurance

Abstract

Health insurance coverage is essential to improving preventative health services and decreasing financial burdens for older immigrants; however, disparities remain among different insurance kinds. This study analyzes the influence of private, public, and uninsured coverage on healthcare access and financial vulnerability among elderly immigrants in the United States, a population disproportionately impacted by socioeconomic and administrative obstacles.
This cross-sectional study used data from the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) covering 2020 to 2023 sourced from IPUMS, focusing on foreign-born persons aged 60 years and older. Weighted logistic regression models and propensity score adjustments were used to assess the associations between insurance type (private, Medicare, Medicaid, or uninsured) and three outcomes: access to regular care, financial strain, and unmet need due to cost. Analyses addressed age, sex, education, and economic status as confounding through using survey weights and complex design alterations.
Results indicate that people with private insurance had significantly higher chances of having an ongoing source of care (OR = 1.54, 95% CI = 0.98–2.42) and decreased odds of having unmet healthcare demands (OR = 0.59, 95% CI = 0.39–0.90) compared to the uninsured population. Medicare coverage had a positive association with regular medical treatment (OR = 2.21, 95% CI = 1.34–3.64). No significant correlations have been identified between insurance type and financial strain. Gender and age variations persisted, with women showing somewhat reduced odds of receiving regular care.
The findings demonstrate that health insurance coverage improves access to preventive care however does not eliminate financial stress among senior immigrants. Policy efforts must enhance fair coverage, address obstacles to Medicaid and Medicare access, and integrate culturally appropriate care for aging immigrant populations.
Keywords: Aged; Emigrants and Immigrants; Health Insurance; Health Services Accessibility; Preventive Health Services; Financial Stress; Logistic Models; Cross-Sectional Studies; United States.

Author

• Momna Rani, University of North Texas