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.