Physician and plan effects on satisfaction of Medicaid managed care patients with their health care and providers

Abstract

As many Medicaid patients move into managed care, it is important that physicians competing to serve these patients understand the factors that lead to patient satisfaction. This study uses survey data from 7,313 Oregon Medicaid managed care patients to create a model describing how provider effects and health plan effects relate to patients' satisfaction with their medical care and provider. Path analysis was used to test the explanatory power and strength of relationships in the model. Perceived technical and interpersonal physician quality and health plan rating were most strongly linked with these patients' satisfaction with their care and provider.