RESUMEN
This study examines the effect of ethnicity, race, and other socioeconomic and utilization variables on belonging to a fee-for-service or capitated plan by Medicare beneficiaries. Native-born beneficiaries cite health status, physical access to health care facilities, and income levels as affecting their choice. Immigrants, on the other hand, mention age, a lifestyle of living alone, and income as influencing their decision. Among foreign-born nationals, race appears to play an important role in choosing health care plans. A key factor affecting enrollment among immigrant populations appears to be the availability of ethnic sensitive providers of health care. While the elderly Hispanic immigrant population utilizes participating providers in prepaid plans catering to a Spanish-speaking population, the lack of similar facilities among predominantly black immigrant neighborhoods inhibits participation in HMOs by elderly immigrants from places such as Haiti and the Caribbean Basin. Policy implications are discussed.
Asunto(s)
Actitud Frente a la Salud , Emigración e Inmigración , Sistemas Prepagos de Salud/estadística & datos numéricos , Hispánicos o Latinos , Atención Individual de Salud/estadística & datos numéricos , Anciano , Comportamiento del Consumidor , Honorarios Médicos , Femenino , Florida , Haití/etnología , Estado de Salud , Humanos , Estilo de Vida , Masculino , Medicare , Persona de Mediana Edad , Análisis de Regresión , Factores Socioeconómicos , Estados UnidosRESUMEN
We report on findings of an empirical study of attitudes and access to health care by elderly Cuban immigrants and native-born Americans in Southeast Florida. Major findings based on a random sample of 1,216 respondents indicate a need for bilingual educational materials to inform consumers of health support services available and ethnic-sensitive public health services for the indigent Cuban population.