Abstract
Although community health centers (CHCs) provide primary health services to the medically underserved and poor, limited access to off-site specialty services may lead to poorer outcomes among underinsured CHC patients. This study evaluates access to specialty health services for patients receiving care in CHCs, using a survey of medical directors of all federally qualified CHCs in the United States in 2004. Respondents reported that uninsured patients had greater difficulty obtaining access to off-site specialty services, including referrals and diagnostic testing, than did patients with Medicaid, Medicare, or private insurance.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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Adult
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Community Health Centers / organization & administration*
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Community Health Centers / statistics & numerical data
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Economics, Medical
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Health Care Surveys*
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Health Services Accessibility / economics
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Health Services Accessibility / statistics & numerical data*
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Humans
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Insurance, Health / statistics & numerical data
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Male
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Medicaid / statistics & numerical data
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Medically Underserved Area
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Medically Uninsured / statistics & numerical data*
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Medicare / statistics & numerical data
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Medicine / statistics & numerical data*
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Middle Aged
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Physician Executives
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Poverty*
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Primary Health Care / economics
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Primary Health Care / organization & administration
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Referral and Consultation / economics
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Referral and Consultation / statistics & numerical data*
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Specialization*
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United States