How free care improved vision in the health insurance experiment

Bibliographic Data

ID11031985
AuthorsNicole Lurie (University of California, Los Angeles), Caren Kamberg, C J Kamberg, Robert H Brook (0000-0001-7648-3764), Emmett B Keeler, Joseph P Newhouse (0000-0001-5837-3203)
Year1989
Volume79
Issue5
Pages640-642
Publication date1989-05-01
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueAmerican Journal of Public Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0090-0036 • E-ISSN: 1541-0048
PublisherAmerican Public Health Association (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.2105/ajph.79.5.640
PMID2705602
OpenAlexW2025377345
LanguageEN
Citations received5
References cited3

We studied reasons for the improvement in the functional vision of enrollees receiving free care in the Rand Health Insurance Experiment. Among low income enrollees, 78 per cent on the free plan and 59 per cent on the cost-sharing plans had an eye examination; the proportions of those obtaining lenses were 30 per cent and 20 per cent, respectively. Visual acuity outcomes of low income vs non-poor enrollees were more adversely affected by enrollment in cost-sharing plans. Free care resulted in improved vision by increasing the frequency of eye examinations and lens purchases

Cost sharing · Economics · Environmental health · Eye care · Family medicine · Free clinic · Geography · Health care · Health insurance · Health plan · Plan (archaeology) · Visual acuity · Demography · Healthcare Policy and Management · Medicine · Nursing · Ophthalmology · Optometry

Tools

Open DOISci-HubOpen Access