The study analyzed claims data from 2001 to 2014 of almost 900,000 children from birth to age 14 and how often children from different income levels visited ophthalmologists and optometrists. Researchers analyzed diagnosis rates for amblyopia (lazy eye) and strabismus (cross-eyed), common conditions that can cause blindness if left untreated.
What researchers found is children from families with a net worth of $25,000 annually had 16 percent fewer eye care visits than children from middle-income families, with a net worth of $150,000 to $250,000 annually. Children from families with a net worth of $500,000 or more annually had 19 percent more eye care visits than those in the middle group.
In addition, 3.6 percent of children in lower income households were diagnosed with strabismus and 2 percent with amblyopia by age 10. In comparison, 5.9 percent of children from higher income households were diagnosed for strabismus and 3.1 percent for amblyopia. In total, researchers estimate the discrepancy led to 12,800 undiagnosed cases of strabismus and 5,400 undiagnosed cases of amblyopia, according to the report.
More articles about payer issues:
Minnesota attempts to recruit insurers for state exchange
Avalere: One-third of US health insurance exchanges will have no competition in 2017
With ‘step therapy,’ insurers won’t cover new, more expensive treatments until older therapies fail
