Effect of Co-payment on the Use of Medical Services by Male and Female Prisoners

This study determined the effect of co-payment on the use of medical services by approximately 700 male and female prisoners in Idaho. Two way ANOVAs were computed to determine whether there were effects of gender, co-payment, and the interaction between gender and co-payment on the use of medical services. Findings included significant differences between male and female inmate medical requests after co-payment. Another finding was that the average number of requests significantly decreased for dental hygienists and sick care after co-payment, and significant interactions between gender and co-payment occurred for dental hygienists and sick care requests. Also found was a decrease in sick care requests by both male and female prisoners by about 40%. These findings support that co-payment does have a significant impact on the use of medical services in the prisons studied.