Prevalence of pre-existing conditions among community health center patients with COVID-19: Implications for the patient protection and affordable care act

Nathalie Huguet, Teresa Schmidt, Annie Larson, Jean O’Malley, Megan Hoopes, Heather Angier, Miguel Marino, Jennifer DeVoe

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

7 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background: Short- and long-term effects of COVID-19 will likely be designated pre-existing conditions. We describe the prevalence of pre-existing conditions among community health center patients overall and those with COVID-19 by race/ethnicity. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study used electronic health record data from OCHIN, a network of 396 community health centers across 14 states. Results: Among all patients with COVID-19, 33% did not have a pre-existing condition before the pandemic. Up to half of COVID-19-positive non-Hispanic Asians (51%), Hispanic (36%), and non-Hispanic black (28%) patients did not have a pre-existing condition before the pandemic. Conclusions: The future of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act is uncertain, and the long-term health effects of COVID-19 are largely unknown; therefore, ensuring people with pre-existing conditions can acquire health insurance is essential to achieving health equity.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)S247-S249
JournalJournal of the American Board of Family Medicine
Volume34
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 2021

Keywords

  • Affordable care act
  • COVID-19
  • Chronic disease
  • Community health centers
  • Cross-sectional studies
  • Ethnic groups
  • Health equity
  • Health policy
  • Pandemics
  • Pre-existing condition

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health
  • Family Practice

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