Having health insurance is not synonymous with having access to healthcare, according to a survey released by the Center for Healthcare Research & Transformation.
The poll of 1,022 Michigan adults showed that while 40 percent of those who lacked insurance delayed seeking needed care, so did 17 percent of those with health insurance, mostly due to cost concerns.
The survey also revealed that many low-income urban dwellers had fewer problems accessing care than all but high-income suburban dwellers – potentially reflecting the greater availability of healthcare "safety net" providers in urban areas. Residents in rural communities and small towns reported more problems with access to care.
"Rather than a simple count of who has health insurance and who doesn't, we wanted to get a clearer picture of the people behind the statistics," said Marianne Udow-Philips, director of the Center for Healthcare Transformation and Research.
There was a significant difference between those with Medicaid/Healthy Kids coverage and those with MiChild coverage. While 35 percent of those with Medicaid/HealthyKids coverage reported difficulties finding providers who accepted their coverage, only 12 percent of those with MiChild coverage reported the same problem.
There was no significant connection between having health insurance and self-perceptions of health. Forty-nine percent of those with health insurance reported themselves to be in excellent or very good health, while 47 percent of those with no health insurance reported themselves to be in excellent or very good health.
"These findings point to the changing economic landscape in Michigan," said Udow-Philips.