Importance Medicaid expansion broadened access to care; however, limited data about the effect on access to anti-incontinence surgical procedures exist. Objective Since the Affordable Care Act (ACA) Medicaid expansion in 2014, some regions have had more states adopt expansion (NE—Northeast, W—West) than other regions (S—South, MW—Midwest). We aimed to determine if the proportion of Medicaid funded anti-incontinence procedures increased after Medicaid expansion and whether increases were different by U.S. region. Study Design This was a retrospective cohort study. Results The 2012–2018 Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project National Inpatient Sample was reviewed for anti-incontinence surgical procedures. Medicaid supported surgical procedures were compared by region and year, and among marginalized populations. During the study period 66,510 surgical procedures were performed. Medicaid as a primary payer for anti-incontinence procedures increased from 10% to 12% (P = <0.001) between 2012 and 2018. The percentage of Medicaid supported procedures performed in the NE (13%) and W (17%) were greater than MW (9%) and S (8%). Procedures among Black, Hispanic or lowest income quartile patients were lowest in the S and did not increase after expansion during the study period (2012 vs 2018, all P = NS). When controlling for confounders, the MW (odds ratio [OR] 0.58; 95% CI 0.46–0.74) and S (OR 0.33; 95% CI 0.26–0.42) were less likely to have Medicaid covered surgical procedures compared to the NE and W (OR 1.04; 95% CI 0.84–1.29). Conclusions Nationally, the percentage of Medicaid-supported anti-incontinence procedures increased after expansion. Northeast and W access to procedures increased, and access by marginalized populations broadened, while the S and MW had the most limited proportion of anti-incontinence surgical procedures covered by Medicaid.
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