American Journal of Public Health, Vol 91, Issue 7 1082-1088, Copyright © 2001 by American Public Health Association
Underuse of invasive procedures among Medicaid patients with acute myocardial infarction
EF Philbin, PA McCullough, TG DiSalvo, GW Dec, PL Jenkins and WD Weaver
Division of Cardiology, Albany Medical College, (Mail Code 44), 47 New Scotland Ave, Albany, NY 12208, USA. philbie@mail.amc.edu
OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to determine whether underuse of
cardiac procedures among Medicaid patients with acute myocardial infarction
is explained by or is independent of fundamental differences in age, race,
or sex distribution; income, coexistent illness; or location of care.
METHODS: Administrative data from 226 hospitals in New York were examined
for 11,579 individuals hospitalized with a primary diagnosis of acute
myocardial infarction. Use of various cardiac procedures was compared among
Medicaid patients and patients with other forms of insurance. RESULTS:
Medicaid patients were older, were more frequently African American and
female, and had lower median household incomes. They also had a higher
prevalence of hypertension, diabetes, lung disease, renal disease, and
peripheral vascular disease. After adjustment for these and other factors,
Medicaid patients were less likely to undergo cardiac catheterization,
percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty, and any revascularization
procedure. CONCLUSIONS: Factors other than age, race, sex, income,
coexistent illness, and location of care account for lower use of invasive
procedures among Medicaid patients. The influence of Medicaid insurance on
medical practice and process of care deserves investigation.