A shortage of primary care physicians who will accept Medicaid patients seems to be the biggest problem for new enrollees,
according to Perry Undem, which held six focus groups with them in Chicago, Denver and Portland, Oregon.
Before obtaining new coverage, most people in the focus groups said they delayed medical care while they had been uninsured, and some in the focus group said they're facing medical debt for care that they couldn't delay. Preventive care, in particular, had been a challenge for this group – many said they hadn't received a checkup in years.
All the study participants said they feel better off with free or low-cost Medicaid coverage, and they worry less about being able to afford bills or see a doctor for ongoing health problems. The majority said they've already used their coverage and feel healthier because of it. […]
Some new enrollees in the focus groups said they had to call at least six practices to find a doctor, some had to choose doctors far from where they live, and some said they suspect providers are limiting how many Medicaid patients they'll take. Others said they weren't used to the process of finding a primary care physician, and others didn't try because they didn't see an urgent need to find one.
Denver enrollees had less of an issue finding providers, and Portland residents more trouble accessing mental healthcare resources. All reported disappointment in the limits to dental coverage. But the unanimous conclusion from all groups was relief that they had coverage, and their intention to keep it: "They all said they would re-enroll in the program if they couldn't get other insurance over the course of the year, and they've been spreading the word to friends and family to sign up."