RT Journal
A1 Tang N, Stein J, Hsia R
T1 TRends in emergency department visits among medicaid patients—reply
JF JAMA
JO JAMA
YR 2011
FD September 21
VO 306
IS 11
SP 1202
OP 1203
DO 10.1001/jama.2011.1327
UL http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/jama.2011.1327
AB 
First, this change in coding affected the population of people in the United States who had both Medicare and Medicaid (dual eligibles). Due to the way payer source data was collected in NHAMCS, we were only able to identify dual eligibles beginning in 2005. However, there is no reason to believe there was a substantial change in the dual eligible population between 2004 and 2005. In our study, the dual eligible population in 2005 had an estimated 3.1 million visits, or 2.7% of total ED visits. In 2007, the number of visits from dual eligibles was estimated at 3.5 million, or 3.0% of total ED visits. We do not think such a small percentage change over time would significantly alter our findings.