The Roles of Parent Perception and Insurance Status in Child Health Care Utilization

Abstract

This study identifies ways in which parent perception of child health affects health care utilization with consideration of child health insurance status and type. Specifically, this study explores how perceived need and available resources relate to two dimensions of child health care utilization: preventive care visits and recognition of a source of sick care. After analyzing data from the 2011 National Survey of Children's Health, our findings showed that uninsured children and children with poorer perceived health had lesser utilization in each dimension, indicating that access to resources was more predictive of utilization than perceived need. The relationship between parent perception and Medicaid status shows that poorer perceived health may increase utilization when resources are established. Considering the relationship of these two factors offers insights into the roles of resources and need in child health care utilization and may be useful in considering policies to remove barriers to access.