Multi-level factors linked to young adult primary care transitions: evidence from a state all-payer claims analysis

TL;DR

This study identifies factors that influence when young adults switch from pediatric to adult primary care, using health insurance claims data.

Contribution

The study reveals multilevel factors, including family and county-level characteristics, that are associated with timely or delayed care transitions.

Findings

Male sex and having a family member with a pediatrician were linked to delayed transition to adult care.

Counties with high pediatric care capacity or low adult primary care capacity had lower odds of transition.

Family and provider networks significantly influence care transition outcomes.

Abstract

Delayed transitions from pediatric to adult primary care leads to gaps in medical care. State all-payer claims data was used to assess multilevel factors associated with timely transition from pediatric to adult primary care.

We created a cohort of 4,320 patients aged 17–20 in 2014–2017 continuously enrolled in health insurance 36 months between 2014 and 2019 and attributed to a pediatric provider in months 1–12. We also constructed primary care provider networks identifying links between providers who saw members of the same family. Logistic regression was used to predict adult primary care in months 25–36 on family, provider, and county-level factors. Finally, we modeled the effect of county and network cluster membership on care transitions.

Male sex, having another family member seeing a pediatrician, and residing in a county with high pediatric care capacity or low adult primary care capacity were associated with lower odds of adult primary care transition.

We investigated factors associated with successful transitions from pediatric to adult primary care. Family ties to a pediatrician and robust county capacity to provide primary care to children were associated with non-transition to adult primary care.

Multiple level factors contribute to non-transition to adult primary care. Understanding the factors associated with appropriate transition can help inform state and national policy.

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12875-024-02463-9.

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