Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health
Volume 12, Issue 4, 2010, Pages 580-585

Barriers and facilitators to public health insurance enrollment in newly arrived immigrant adolescents and young adults in New York State (Article)

Hearst A.A. , Ramirez J.M. , Gany F.M.
  • a Center for Immigrant Health, New York University School of Medicine, 530 First Avenue, Bellevue C and D, D401, New York, NY 10016, United States
  • b Center for Immigrant Health, New York University School of Medicine, 530 First Avenue, Bellevue C and D, D401, New York, NY 10016, United States
  • c Center for Immigrant Health, New York University School of Medicine, 530 First Avenue, Bellevue C and D, D401, New York, NY 10016, United States

Abstract

This study was designed to identify barriers and facilitators to enrollment in public health insurance programs in immigrant adolescents and young adults. Focus groups were held in English, Spanish and Mandarin to assess barriers and facilitators to insurance enrollment. Twenty-nine students participated in the focus groups, 11 Chinese speakers, 13 English speakers and 5 Spanish speakers. They were between the ages of 18 and 24. The major factors affecting failure to enroll were lack of correct information about enrollment process and qualifications, fear of being reported to immigration, and language barriers. In general, newly arrived students had less information and many more questions. Facilitators to enrollment included perceived need for health insurance, requiring help with medical care costs, and assistance with information gathering. To increase enrollment, we suggest school-based approaches to education and enrollment, increased presence of facilitated enrollers, and increased visibility of existing informational outlets. © 2009 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC.

Author Keywords

Health insurance Immigrant Adolescent focus groups Young adult Medicaid

Index Keywords

information processing male Emigrants and Immigrants Utilization Review female medicaid New York Humans Health Services Accessibility Focus Groups Article United States Young Adult human adult migration health care delivery Adolescent
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-77955983232&doi=10.1007%2fs10903-009-9308-x&partnerID=40&md5=6cc3f57806aad0f00d46a925272d95b5
DOI: 10.1007/s10903-009-9308-x
ISSN: 15571912
Cited by: 3
Original Language: English