Two-Year Stability and Change in Access to and Reasons for Lacking a Usual Source of Care Among Working-Age US Adults

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate usual source of care (USC) over time.

Methods: A nationally representative sample of working-age adults in the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (Panels 16 [2011-2012] and 17 [2012-2013]) was divided into 3 groups based on USC questions asked during 2 waves: (1) those having a USC during both waves (always USC), (2) those not having a USC during either wave (never USC), and (3) those who gained or lost a USC between the 2 waves (changed USC). The study examined the sociodemographic and health characteristics associated with these groups and the main reasons for not having a USC among those who never had a USC and those who changed their USC.

Results: Of the 10 792 adults in the analysis, a longitudinally weighted 18.8% reported that their USC changed during the period. Among adults in the changed USC group, those with private (odds ratio [OR] = 2.0, P = .001) or public (OR = 2.2, P = .001) health insurance and 1 (OR = 1.7, P = .04) or ≥2 (OR = 3.1, P = .02) chronic health conditions were more likely to transition to having a USC from not having a USC, compared with those who had no insurance and no chronic conditions. Compared with those in the changed USC group, those in the never USC group were more likely to report preferring not to have a USC (57.9% vs 80.1%, P < .001).

Conclusions: Insurance and public health policies and programs are needed to reduce short-term changes in USC and increase the number of adults with ongoing, consistent USC.

Keywords: health care access; public health policy; reasons for no usual source of care; social determinants of health; usual source of care.