Health Care Access and Cost
Most people need medical care at some time in their lives. Access to affordable, quality health
care is important to physical, social, and mental health. Health insurance helps individuals and
families access needed primary care, specialists, and emergency care, but does not ensure access
on its own-it is also necessary for providers to offer affordable care, be available to treat patients,
and be in relatively close proximity to patients. Most health care
spending is for care provided by hospitals and physicians.
Together, health insurance, local care options, and a usual source of care help to ensure
access to health care. Having access to care allows individuals to enter the health care
system, find care easily and locally, pay for care, and get their
health needs met.
Neighborhoods with low health insurance rates often have fewer providers, hospital beds and
emergency resources than areas with higher rates. Even the insured have more
difficulty getting care in these areas.
Nationally, many areas also lack sufficient providers to meet patient needs; as of January 2014, there were about 6,000 primary care, 3,900 mental health, and 4,800 dental federally designated "Health Professional Shortage Areas" in the US. Having a usual primary care provider is associated with a higher likelihood of appropriate care, and a usual source of care is associated with better health outcomes. In 2010, 86% of Americans had a usual source of care, but those with low incomes were less likely to than those with higher incomes, and the uninsured were twice as likely as the insured to lack a usual care source.
Cost can be a barrier to care even for those who have insurance. In 2009, 17% of people younger than 65 had premium and out of pocket costs totaling more than 10% of family income. Those with private, non-group insurance were three times as likely as those with employer-sponsored insurance to face such costs.
Nationally, many areas also lack sufficient providers to meet patient needs; as of January 2014, there were about 6,000 primary care, 3,900 mental health, and 4,800 dental federally designated "Health Professional Shortage Areas" in the US. Having a usual primary care provider is associated with a higher likelihood of appropriate care, and a usual source of care is associated with better health outcomes. In 2010, 86% of Americans had a usual source of care, but those with low incomes were less likely to than those with higher incomes, and the uninsured were twice as likely as the insured to lack a usual care source.
Cost can be a barrier to care even for those who have insurance. In 2009, 17% of people younger than 65 had premium and out of pocket costs totaling more than 10% of family income. Those with private, non-group insurance were three times as likely as those with employer-sponsored insurance to face such costs.
- Ratio of Population to Primary Care Providers
- Health Care Access - Percentage of Adults with a Primary Medical Provider
- Ambulatory Care Sensitive Conditions - Acute
- Ambulatory Care Sensitive Conditions - Chronic
- Health Insurance Coverage
- Medicaid Enrollment
- Primary Care Providers Compared to Population Size
- Primary Medical Provider
- Unable to Get Medical Care Due to Cost
These links will run the query and take you to the results page. To modify the query criteria, you can use the top left ("MODIFY Query") navigation button on the query results page.
Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) Survey
- Usual Primary Provider/Medical Home
- Unable to Get Needed Care Due to Cost
- Health Care Coverage- All Adults
- Health Care Coverage- Adults Age 18-64
