| Summary: | Part of a special section on access to health care for vulnerable populations. A study was conducted to determine variations in the levels of access and satisfaction within the disabled Medicare population. Using data from the Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey, beneficiaries under 65 years of age were classified by original reason for disability—mental versus physical. Findings indicated that those with a mental disability were less likely to have a private physician as a usual source; were less satisfied with the general quality of care, availability of after-hours care, follow-up care, and coordination of care; and were more likely to report unfulfilled need. The writer considers the implications for the current delivery system and for design of managed care programs.
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