Document Type
Article
Keywords
Indigenous, Healthcare, Health insurance Women, Health disparities
Disciplines
Social Work
Abstract
Access to healthcare is an essential component in addressing health disparities. However, the limitations of insurance coverage, and other barriers in paying for and accessing healthcare have seldom been researched for Indigenous peoples. In addition, state recognized tribes do not have access to the healthcare services provided by the Indian Health Service, and there is a need for research documenting their unique healthcare needs. Qualitative description was used to conduct 31 semi-structured interviews with women from an Indigenous tribe in the Gulf South to understand their experiences in paying for healthcare services. Participants described: (1) Discrimination Based on Perceived Ability to Pay for Healthcare; and (2) Limitations of Healthcare Coverage, with sub-themes (a) Difficulties Understanding Coverage Limitations; (b) Inadequate Coverage; and (c) Limited Choice of Providers. These findings indicate that state-recognized tribal members may need specialized insurance programs, and more comprehensive coverage of healthcare services and medications. Future actions should promote tribal sovereignty and increase access to healthcare resources for state-recognized tribes.
Publication Title
SSM - Qualitative Research in Health
Volume
2
Article Number
100134
Publication Date
2022
DOI of Published Version
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssmqr.2022.100134
Language
English
Peer Reviewed
1
Recommended Citation
Liddell, Jessica L. and Lilly, Jenn M., "“There's so much they don't cover:” Limitations of healthcare coverage for Indigenous women in a non-federally recognized tribe" (2022). Social Service Faculty Publications. 27.
https://research.library.fordham.edu/gss_facultypubs/27
Version
Published
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
