Examining Differences in Self-Reported Health and Access to Health Care Among People With Early- and Late-Onset Disability

The purpose of the study is to compare self-reported health and access to health care among people with early- and late-onset disability. Adults with disabilities 18 to 62 years of age participated in the 2018 National Survey on Health and Disability (NSHD), which is a nationally representative, internet-based survey that provides data related to health insurance and access to health care. A subsample of participants who reported age at disability onset ( n = 1,188) completed measures related to demographics, health status, health insurance, and access to health care services. Results show that people with early-onset disability were significantly more likely to receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI; p < .001), less likely to receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI; p < .001), more likely to have Medicaid ( p < .001), and less likely to have Medicare ( p < .01). People with late-onset disability were more likely to report service limitations and were more likely to report fair/poor health ( p < .001). Overall, study findings suggest that people with late-onset disability report higher out-of-pocket health care expenditures, greater access limitations, and poorer health. Medical professionals and disability service providers should be mindful about assisting this population in locating appropriate health insurance coverage, health services, and financial assistance.