Access to Care Among Disabled Adults on Medicaid

Although disabled individuals account for a disproportionate share of Medicaid expenditures, little is known about their health care needs and experiences. This article explores differences in access and use among key disability subgroups—adults with physical disabilities, mental illness, and mental retardation/development disabilities (MR/DD). We find that disabled Medicaid beneficiaries with mental illness and those with greater health and functional limitations face more difficulties in obtaining care. This suggests a need for changes in the system of care under Medicaid, including targeting efforts to improve access to individuals with specific types of disabilities.