<p> The 2010 Affordable Care Act has affected access and availability to medical services because states have increased the number of individuals on Medicaid and health exchanges have offered coverage to those who previously lacked it. The purpose of this qualitative exploratory case study was to identify whether the Affordable Care Act affects access to and availability of medical services, and to identify alternatives to how medical practices are formed and operated to accommodate an increase in patients. The study was based on Geyman’s theory of economics and Glasser’s consumer choice theory. Research questions addressed the effects the Affordable Care Act has had on providers’ schedules and patients’ appointments. Data collection involved interviews with six health care providers (four from Michigan and two from Maryland), three administrators (one each from Michigan, Maryland, and Kentucky), and six patients (three from Michigan, two from Maryland, and one from Kentucky). Results showed that under the Affordable Care Act newly insured Medicaid individuals are seeking care more often, whereas those with private insurance are seeking medical treatment less often. Increased out-of-pocket costs were the reason given by privately insured individuals for the decrease in obtaining medical care. The study did not find evidence of patients waiting longer to book an appointment with a medical practice or shortened visits. The study will inform the efforts of providers to address changes in access and availability of medical care due to implementation of the Affordable Care Act.</p>
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:PROQUEST/oai:pqdtoai.proquest.com:3742238 |
| Date | 15 January 2016 |
| Creators | Holdorf, Sandra |
| Publisher | Baker College (Michigan) |
| Source Sets | ProQuest.com |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | thesis |
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