Access to Healthcare, Ease of Receiving Prescription Drugs, and Patient-Physician Communication Measure by Social Vulnerability Among Medicare Beneficiaries.

introductionSelf-reported healthcare quality often reflects older adults' health experiences and has been linked to improved clinical outcomes. However, limited evidence exists on the relationship between an area's social vulnerability level and patient-reported healthcare quality scores and access to care and prescribed medicine. This study examined the relationship between social vulnerability and patient-reported healthcare quality measures among Medicare beneficiaries, focusing on overall healthcare quality, ease of accessing needed care and medications, and the physician-patient relationship.

methodsThe study conducted a cross-sectional analysis using pooled data from the 2018, 2019, 2021, and 2022 Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems surveys, linked with the Social Vulnerability Index (SVI) using beneficiaries' county of residence.

resultsWe found that healthcare quality scores were consistently lower in areas with higher social vulnerability. Among Medicare Fee-for-Service beneficiaries, individuals living in higher SVI areas, i.e., areas with more vulnerability, had significantly lower odds of reporting favorable healthcare ratings, ease of accessing care and treatments, and consistent positive experiences with their healthcare providers. They were also less likely to report ease of obtaining prescribed medications. Similar patterns were observed among Medicare Advantage beneficiaries, with those in more vulnerable areas reporting lower odds of high healthcare ratings, timely access to care, and prescription fulfillment.

conclusionsThese findings underscore disparities in self-reported healthcare quality among Medicare beneficiaries living in socially vulnerable areas.