Unmet Need for Medical Equipment and Devices

Data on the experiences of children and youth with special health care needs (CYSHCN) accessing health care services and resources is limited, and yet this group represents nearly 20 percent of the pediatric population. To learn more, our Foundation contracted with NORC at the University of Chicago to conduct a national survey and focus groups of parents of CYSHCN to better understand the challenges they face. The findings of this work indicate that across a range of different measures, CYSHCN and their families have lower levels of access to the health care services they need compared to children without special health care needs. There are also differences in experiences for specific subgroups of CYSHCN.  

This brief focuses on Unmet Need for Medical Equipment and Devices. Findings include: 

• 1 in 5 CYSHCN needed at least one type of medical equipment or device in the past 12 months. 

• Nearly half (48%) of CYSHCN who needed medical equipment or devices experienced at least one barrier to obtaining them. 

• Inability to obtain a referral for medical equipment or devices was the most common barrier to access for CYSHCN. 

The impacts of not having access to medical equipment and devices included the development of new symptoms or health complications, unmet needs for school-based services, and delayed receipt of needed treatment.

Read more about the survey and focus group methodology and view the other data briefs.