In the first 2 months of the COVID-19 pandemic, the use of commercial insurance for preventative and elective care decreased relative to the previous year, according to a study published in JAMA Network Open (2020;3[11]:e2024984. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2020.24984).
A cross-sectional study analyzed health insurance claims for US patients who receive employer-sponsored health insurance. Changes in health care use during March and April 2020 relative to March and April 2019 were examined.
“The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has placed unprecedented strain on patients and health care professionals and institutions, but the association of the pandemic with use of preventive, elective, and nonelective care, as well as potential disparities in use of health care, remain unknown,” explained Christopher Whaley, PhD, RAND Corporation (Santa Monica, CA) and colleagues.
In March and April 2020, regression-adjusted use rate per 10,000 persons decreased significantly for colonoscopies, mammograms, hemoglobin A1C tests, child vaccines, musculoskeletal surgery, cataract surgery, magnetic resonance imaging, and in-person office visits. The use of telemedicine services increased, but race and income disparities exist. Low income or areas with high racial/ethnic minority populations had lower rates of telemedicine use but smaller reductions in in-person visits.
“In this study, the initial 2 months of the COVID-19 pandemic were associated with large reductions in use of health services; future policy initiatives should ensure that these reductions do not adversely affect patient health,” concluded Dr Whaley and colleagues. —Lisa Kuhns
