Uninsurance, underinsurance, and health care utilization in Mexico by US border residents

Dejun Su, William Pratt, Jim P. Stimpson, Rebeca Wong, José A. Pagán

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Using data from the 2008 Cross-Border Utilization of Health Care Survey, we examined the relationship between United States (US) health insurance coverage plans and the use of health care services in Mexico by US residents of the US-Mexico border region. We found immigrants were far more likely to be uninsured than their native-born counterparts (63 vs. 27.8 %). Adults without health insurance coverage were more likely to purchase medications or visit physicians in Mexico compared to insured adults. However, adults with Medicaid coverage were more likely to visit dentists in Mexico compared to uninsured adults. Improving health care access for US residents in the southwestern border region of the country will require initiatives that target not only providing coverage to the large uninsured population but also improving access to health care services for the large underinsured population.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)607-612
Number of pages6
JournalJournal of Immigrant and Minority Health
Volume16
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 2014

Keywords

  • Health care utilization
  • US-Mexico border
  • Underinsurance
  • Uninsurance

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Epidemiology
  • Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

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