Mediators of Discrimination in Primary Care Appointment Access

Econ Lett. 2021 Mar:200:109744. doi: 10.1016/j.econlet.2021.109744. Epub 2021 Jan 21.

Abstract

We examine how differences in questions asked and information provided by physicians' offices contribute to differences in new-patient appointment offers. Data is from a 2013-16 field experiment involving calls to a random sample of US primary care physicians on behalf of simulated new patients differentiated by race/ethnicity (Black, Hispanic, White), sex, and insurance. We find that the rates and stated reasons for denial of appointment offers differ substantially across patient groups.

Keywords: C9; Field experiment; I1; Medicaid; healthcare disparities; statistical discrimination.