Access to urologic care for children in California: Medicaid versus private insurance.

OBJECTIVES

To compare the access to urologic care for a child with cryptorchidism insured by Medi-Cal versus one insured by private insurance. Medi-Cal (California State Medicaid) is a joint state and federal health insurance program that plays a significant role in providing healthcare coverage to low-income children.

METHODS

A total of 54 randomly chosen urology offices throughout California were surveyed by telephone to determine whether the office accepted pediatric patients, accepted Medi-Cal, and when the earliest appointment date would be for a patient with Medi-Cal versus one with private insurance.

RESULTS

Of the 46 practices that accepted pediatric patients, 96% offered a new patient appointment to a child with private insurance, but only 41% were willing to offer an appointment to a child with Medi-Cal (P < 0.0001). Of the offices that would not see a child with Medi-Cal, 75% were unable to recommend a urology office that might accept Medi-Cal.

CONCLUSIONS

Children insured by Medi-Cal have significantly less access to necessary urologic care compared with children with private insurance.