Disparities in Patient Experience of Care Between Children Enrolled in Medicaid-Managed Care Organizations

This study investigates the relationship between patient experience outcomes and participants' race, ethnicity, and geographic region of their health plan across the nine U.S. Census divisions, focusing on Medicaid children in managed care plans using 2019 CAHPS data. Logistic regression models revealed that racial and ethnic minority groups reported less favorable experiences than non-Hispanic Whites across various care components. Significant disparities were also noted across geographic divisions, particularly in regions with fewer non-Hispanic White individuals. Notably, Hispanic respondents from the West reported the poorest experiences. These findings highlight the need for policymakers to implement targeted programs and interventions aimed at improving access to quality care for racial and ethnic minority groups to address these disparities effectively.