MEDICAID EXPANSION AND EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT UTILIZATION

This study measures the effect of Medicaid expansion on emergency department (ED) utilization. It also explores the mechanism through which treatment effects operate. Identification relies on a county-level Medicaid expansion rollout within California from 2011 to 2013. The results suggest that Medicaid expansion increased ED utilization in California. Every time one individual transferred into the Medicaid program, there emerged one additional ED visit per year. Furthermore, the effect appears to be driven by difficulty accessing primary care. These findings suggest Medicaid expansion may have different effects in different environments, depending on how easily enrollees can schedule appointments. (JEL I13, I18, I38)