Authors: Melissa Yamauchi Matthew J Carlson Bill J Wright Heather Angier Jennifer E DeVoe
Publish Date: 2012/02/23
Volume: 17, Issue: 2, Pages: 248-255
Abstract
Parent’s insurance coverage is associated with children’s insurance status but little is known about whether a parent’s coverage continuity affects a child’s coverage This study assesses the association between an adult’s insurance continuity and the coverage status of their children We used data from a subgroup of participants in the Oregon Health Care Survey a threewave 30month prospective cohort study n = 559 We examined the relationship between the length of time an adult had health insurance coverage and whether or not all children in the same household were insured at the end of the study We used a series of univariate and multivariate logistic regression models to identify significant associations and the rho correlation coefficient to assess collinearity A dose response relationship was observed between continuity of adult coverage and the odds that all children in the household were insured Among adults with continuous coverage 914 reported that all children were insured at the end of the study period compared to 837 of adults insured for 19–27 months 743 of adults insured for 10–18 months and 708 of adults insured for fewer than 9 months This stepwise pattern persisted in logistic regression models adults with the fewest months of coverage as compared to those continuously insured reported the highest odds of having uninsured children adjusted odds ratio 726 95 confidence interval 275 1917 Parental health insurance continuity is integral to maintaining children’s insurance coverage Policies to promote continuous coverage for adults will indirectly benefit childrenThis study was financially supported by an Robert Wood Johnson Foundation State Coverage Initiatives in Health Care Reform 0403017 the Commonwealth Fund 20040741 the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality R03 HS016119 1 K08 HS16181 1 R01 HS018569 the Oregon Health Science University Department of Family Medicine and the Oregon Office of Medical Assistance Programs These funding agencies had no involvement in the design and conduct of the study analysis and interpretation of the data and preparation review or approval of the manuscript The authors also gratefully acknowledge the Oregon Health Research and Evaluation Collaborative Dr Charles Gallia from the Division of Medical Assistance Programs and the Office for Oregon Health Policy and Research
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