Community health centers save an average $2,371, or 24 percent, in total spending per Medicaid patient when compared to other providers, according to a study to be published in the November issue of the American Journal of Public Health.
The study analyzed Medicaid claims data for both health center and non-health center patients in 13 states, including Connecticut, making it one of the largest multistate studies of its kind, according to a news release from the National Association of Community Health, which announced the findings Tuesday.
Researchers found that health center Medicaid patients had lower utilization and spending than non-health center patients across all services studied, including:
• 22 percent fewer hospital visits.
• 33 percent lower spending on specialty care.
• 25 percent fewer hospital admissions.
• 27 percent lower spending on inpatient care.
• 24 percent lower total spending.
Researchers from the University of Chicago, Johns Hopkins University, the University of California at Irvine, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, and the Health Resources and Services Administration conducted the study.
Community Health Centers care for 25 million people nationwide, including more than 1 out of every 6 Medicaid beneficiaries. Nearly half (49 percent) of all health center patients rely on Medicaid to cover their care, yet Medicaid payments to health centers make up only 1.6 percent of total Medicaid spending, the release said.
