Insurance-Associated Disparities in Hospitalization Outcomes of Michigan Children

Objective To investigate whether children in Michigan with private insurance have better hospitalization-related outcomes than those with public or no insurance. Study design Population-based hospitalization rates were calculated for newborns and children aged Results Michigan children with public/no insurance had significantly higher overall hospital admission rates and admission rates for ambulatory-sensitive conditions, and were more likely to be admitted through the emergency room, compared with those with private health insurance. Similarly, newborns with public/no insurance had significantly higher rates of hospitalization-related outcomes. Hospital charges per child were higher in the public/no insurance population, translating to potential excess charges of between $309.8 and $401.8 million in 2006. Conclusions There are disparities in health outcomes and charges between Michigan children and newborns with public/no insurance and those with private health insurance, presenting a significant opportunity to improve the efficiency and efficacy of care.