TY - JOUR
T1 - Access and Perceived Quality of Care in US Adults with Multiple Chronic Conditions: MEPS 2019–2021
AU - Wu, Jun
AU - Sullivan, Patrick W.
AU - Perez, Alexandra
AU - Davis-Ajami, Mary L.
PY - 2026/2/1
Y1 - 2026/2/1
N2 - Background: Managing multiple chronic conditions (MCC) requires complex oversight. A usual source of care (USC) is pivotal in navigating complex care and coordination and enhancing self-management. However, the knowledge about access and quality of USC and associated disparities is limited in US adults with MCC. Objectives: To examine access and perceived quality of USC and identify sociodemographic disparities in US adults with MCC. Design: This is a cross-sectional study using US Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) data. Participants: This study used 2019 and 2021 MEPS Household Component data to identify US adults reporting two or more chronic conditions. Main Measures: The outcomes included characteristics, accessibility, and perceived quality of USC. Quality of care was measured by asking respondents if their provider asked about treatments given by other providers and involved them in treatment decision-making. Logistic regression was used to identify sociodemographic disparities in access and perceived quality of USC. Person-level weights were applied to statistical analysis to obtain national estimates. Key Results: The study sample included 9471 eligible US adults with MCC, of which 91.6% reported having a USC, representing 44.9 million US individuals. Respondents who were older (≥ 65 years), married, non-Hispanic White, insured, or Midwestern were more likely to have a USC. Family physicians accounted for 63.5% of reported USC providers. Nearly 43% of respondents indicated difficulty accessing providers after hours. Over 20% of the respondents reported that their providers did not ask about treatments from other doctors or consistently involve them in treatment decision-making. Younger (< 65 years), married, non-Hispanic White, or more educated respondents were more likely to be asked about treatments from other doctors or consistently involved in treatment decision-making. Conclusion: Most US adults with MCC reported having a USC. However, sociodemographic disparities exist in having access to a USC and the quality of care.
AB - Background: Managing multiple chronic conditions (MCC) requires complex oversight. A usual source of care (USC) is pivotal in navigating complex care and coordination and enhancing self-management. However, the knowledge about access and quality of USC and associated disparities is limited in US adults with MCC. Objectives: To examine access and perceived quality of USC and identify sociodemographic disparities in US adults with MCC. Design: This is a cross-sectional study using US Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) data. Participants: This study used 2019 and 2021 MEPS Household Component data to identify US adults reporting two or more chronic conditions. Main Measures: The outcomes included characteristics, accessibility, and perceived quality of USC. Quality of care was measured by asking respondents if their provider asked about treatments given by other providers and involved them in treatment decision-making. Logistic regression was used to identify sociodemographic disparities in access and perceived quality of USC. Person-level weights were applied to statistical analysis to obtain national estimates. Key Results: The study sample included 9471 eligible US adults with MCC, of which 91.6% reported having a USC, representing 44.9 million US individuals. Respondents who were older (≥ 65 years), married, non-Hispanic White, insured, or Midwestern were more likely to have a USC. Family physicians accounted for 63.5% of reported USC providers. Nearly 43% of respondents indicated difficulty accessing providers after hours. Over 20% of the respondents reported that their providers did not ask about treatments from other doctors or consistently involve them in treatment decision-making. Younger (< 65 years), married, non-Hispanic White, or more educated respondents were more likely to be asked about treatments from other doctors or consistently involved in treatment decision-making. Conclusion: Most US adults with MCC reported having a USC. However, sociodemographic disparities exist in having access to a USC and the quality of care.
KW - access to care
KW - multiple chronic conditions
KW - quality of care
KW - usual source of care
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U2 - 10.1007/s11606-025-09896-7
DO - 10.1007/s11606-025-09896-7
M3 - Article
C2 - 41136860
SN - 0884-8734
VL - 41
SP - 735
EP - 743
JO - Journal of General Internal Medicine
JF - Journal of General Internal Medicine
IS - 3
ER -