The Impact of Medicaid on Medical Utilization in a Vulnerable Population: Evidence from COFA Migrants

Timothy Halliday, Randall K. Q. Akee (), Tetine Sentell (), Megan Inada () and Jill Miyamura
Additional contact information
Randall K. Q. Akee: University of California, Los Angeles
Tetine Sentell: University of Hawaii at Manoa
Megan Inada: Kokua Kalihi Valley Comprehensive Family Services
Jill Miyamura: Hawaii Health Information Corporation

No 12779, IZA Discussion Papers from Institute of Labor Economics (IZA)

Abstract: In March 2015, the State of Hawaii stopped covering the majority of migrants from countries belonging to the Compact of Free Association (COFA) in its Medicaid program. COFA migrants were required to obtain private insurance in the exchanges established under the Affordable Care Act. Using statewide hospital discharge data, we show that Medicaid-funded hospitalizations and emergency room visits declined in this population by 31% and 19%. Utilization funded by private insurance did increase, but not enough to offset the declines in Medicaid-funded utilization. Finally, the expiration of benefits increased uninsured ER visits.

Keywords: immigration; health insurance; cost sharing; Medicaid; insurance exchange (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I10 I14 J61 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 44 pages
Date: 2019-11
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-hea and nep-ias
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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Related works:
Journal Article: The impact of Medicaid on medical utilization in a vulnerable population: Evidence from COFA migrants (2020)
Working Paper: The Impact of Medicaid on Medical Utilization in a Vulnerable Population: Evidence from COFA Migrants (2019)
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