Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health
Volume 16, Issue 4, 2014, Pages 724-732

Mexican immigrants' attitudes and interest in health insurance: A qualitative descriptive study (Article)

Ziemer C.M. , Becker-Dreps S.* , Pathman D.E. , Mihas P. , Frasier P. , Colindres M. , Butterworth M. , Robinson S.S.
  • a School of Medicine, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
  • b Department of Family Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 590 Manning Drive, CB #7595, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7595, United States
  • c Department of Family Medicine, Cecil G. Sheps Center for Health Services Research, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
  • d Odom Institute, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
  • e Department of Family Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 590 Manning Drive, CB #7595, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7595, United States
  • f Inter-Am: English and Spanish Cross-Cultural Communications, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
  • g Development and Community Relations, Blue Ridge Community Health Services, Inc, Hendersonville, NC, United States
  • h Departamento de Antropologia, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana, Iztapalap Campus, Mexico Distrito Federal, Mexico

Abstract

Mexican immigrants to the U.S. are nearly three times more likely to be without health insurance than non-Hispanic native citizens. To inform strategies to increase the number of insured within this population, we elicited immigrants' understanding of health insurance and preferences for coverage. Nine focus groups with Mexican immigrants were conducted across the State of North Carolina. Qualitative, descriptive methods were used to assess people's understanding of health insurance, identify their perceived need for health insurance, describe perceived barriers to obtaining coverage, and prioritize the components of insurance that immigrants value most. Individuals have a basic understanding of health insurance and perceive it as necessary. Participants most valued insurance that would cover emergencies, make care affordable, and protect family members. Barriers to obtaining insurance included cost, concerns about immigration status discovery, and communication issues. Strategies that address immigrants' preferences for and barriers to insurance should be considered. © 2013 Springer Science+Business Media New York.

Author Keywords

Health Insurance Mexican Immigrant

Index Keywords

information processing medically uninsured insurance health insurance human Insurance Coverage middle aged North Carolina statistics and numerical data Aged ethnology Mexico Insurance, Health qualitative research United States Humans migrant psychology Adolescent male Emigrants and Immigrants female Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice adult Focus Groups attitude to health Health Services Accessibility health care delivery
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84904392405&doi=10.1007%2fs10903-013-9794-8&partnerID=40&md5=d655ae62fdadc31e1f725c5e07ff113a
DOI: 10.1007/s10903-013-9794-8
ISSN: 15571912
Cited by: 2
Original Language: English