In the United States, health disparities are a pervasive issue, particularly along racial and ethnic lines. Numerous studies have identified various factors contributing to these disparities, such as differences in access to healthcare and social determinants like housing, safety, and food security. However, the role of how healthcare services are financed and the structural payment inequities in the healthcare system have not been thoroughly explored.
This report aims to fill this gap by examining how payment variation among healthcare providers contributes to disparities in healthcare. The report specifically focuses on whether providers who primarily serve historically marginalized populations, including Black, Hispanic, American Indian/Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander individuals, receive lower payments for the same services compared to those who serve predominantly White populations. Additionally, the report investigates whether these payment discrepancies are solely driven by payer mix or if there exist differences within payer types.
To read more about these findings and gain further insights into this critical issue, download the full report now.