The relation of household income to mammography utilization in a prepaid health care system

J Gen Intern Med. 2001 Mar;16(3):200-3. doi: 10.1111/j.1525-1497.2001.00228.x.

Abstract

Managed care organizations should be expected to provide equivalent access to preventive and screening services to all members. We studied mammography in 1,667 women members of one HMO who had an overall utilization rate of 84.9%. Significant correlates of mammography utilization included age, estimated household income, and division of the managed care organization in which the member was enrolled. Each $10,000 increment of income increased mammography rates by 2.5 percentage points (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.4% to 3.6%), independent of age and division. Our findings suggest that coverage for mammography services is not sufficient to ensure equivalent use of screening across income groups.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Female
  • Health Expenditures
  • Health Services Accessibility / statistics & numerical data
  • Humans
  • Income*
  • Logistic Models
  • Mammography / economics
  • Mammography / statistics & numerical data*
  • Middle Aged
  • Odds Ratio
  • Prepaid Health Plans / economics*
  • Prepaid Health Plans / statistics & numerical data
  • Socioeconomic Factors