Study: Expect an increased demand for treatment of pediatric injuries under ACA

Researchers at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia estimate an increase of more than 730,000 hospital-treated injuries annually if children and young adults currently uninsured were to become insured under the Affordable Care Act, according to recent research published in Clinical Pediatrics.

“In order to assist planning efforts by health care systems and policymakers, we aimed to examine the impact on trauma systems of increases in young people with health insurance,” Flaura K. Winston, MD, PhD, scientific director of the Center for Injury Research and Prevention at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, stated in a press release. “This study signals a need to prepare for potential large increases in demand for care of minor and moderate pediatric and young adult injuries in both emergency department and outpatient settings.”

Winston and colleagues based the estimates from 2008 data obtained from the National Health Interview Survey. In the survey, they found that insured children and young adults were more likely to seek treatment for serious injuries, such as fractures when uninsured, but did not seek treatment for injuries related to overexertion, according to the release.

The researchers assumed uninsured children and young adults who become insured would seek treatment for injuries at the same rate as those who were already insured. In their prediction, they estimated an annual 510,553 additional children and young adults would seek care for injuries, 195,838 potential children and young adults would be admitted to a hospital or emergency department, and a further 30,689 children and young adults would seek health care advice by telephone.

“Health care delivery systems across the United States need to have sufficient numbers of general and pediatric health care providers who are trained in treating moderate trauma and injury and can staff urgent care centers, health centers, primary care practices, call centers, and emergency departments,” Winston said. “In keeping with the aims of the Affordable Care Act, the goal should be that all young patients who seek care for their injuries get the appropriate care at the right time and right place.”

Reference:

Winston FK. Clin Pediatr. 2013;doi:10.1177/0009922813495956.

Disclosure: The authors received funds from the National Science Foundation Center for Child Injury Prevention Studies, Pennsylvania Department of Health, and the Health Resources and Administration’s Children’s Safety Network for this study.