Trends in non-traumatic dental emergency department use in New York and New Jersey: a look at Medicaid expansion from both sides of the Hudson River.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to examine the effect of Medicaid expansion on non-traumatic dental condition (NTDC) emergency department visits in New York (NY) and New Jersey (NJ). The 2010-2014 State Emergency Department Databases for NY and NJ were analyzed. NTDCs were defined as ICD-9-CM codes 520.0-529.9. Primary payers for ED discharges and patient's race were considered. In NY, from 2010 to 2011, there was a 51 percent decrease in private insurance and a 91 percent increase in Medicaid for NTDCs. In NJ, with the 2014 expansion, NTDCs fell 35 percent for uninsured and rose 57 percent for Medicaid. Black individuals have by far the highest population rates of NTDC ED visits, particularly in NJ. The experiences in NY and NJ suggest that the timing of expansion had significant effects on payer distribution for NTDCs. Racial disparities continue exist with black individuals disproportionately accessing EDs for NTDCs.