Patterns in primary health care utilization among individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Florida

Intellect Dev Disabil. 2007 Oct;45(5):310-22. doi: 10.1352/0047-6765(2007)45[310:PIPHCU]2.0.CO;2.

Abstract

Individuals living with intellectual and developmental disabilities face complex medical problems. Primary care physicians tend to provide basic medical care, serving as a base through which other forms of care can be accessed. In this study we describe patterns of primary care utilization among adults enrolled on the Florida Medicaid's Home and Community-Based Services Waiver. About 40% of the adults on the Waiver did not see a primary care provider between 1999 and 2003. Primary health care utilization was higher in the northern parts of Florida and conversely lower in the southeast. The establishment of a medical home can ensure the timely receipt of preventive care as well as help coordinate the complex care that many individuals with disabilities need.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Child
  • Continuity of Patient Care
  • Developmental Disabilities / epidemiology*
  • Female
  • Florida / epidemiology
  • Geography
  • Humans
  • Intellectual Disability / epidemiology*
  • Male
  • Medicaid / statistics & numerical data*
  • Middle Aged
  • Primary Health Care / statistics & numerical data*