A recent study published in the Journal of Vascular and Interventional Radiology reveals a concerning trend in the treatment of uterine fibroids, highlighting how insurance type significantly influences the care women receive. This disparity in treatment options potentially exacerbates existing health inequalities, particularly affecting minority communities.
The research, conducted by a team at the University of California, San Francisco, analyzed data from over 1.6 million women with uterine fibroids between 2016 and 2020. The findings show a stark contrast in treatment approaches based on insurance coverage.
Women with commercial insurance were more likely to undergo uterine fibroid embolization (UFE), a minimally invasive procedure that preserves the uterus. In contrast, those with Medicaid were more frequently subjected to hysterectomies, a more invasive surgery that removes the uterus entirely.
The disparity is significant, with commercially insured patients receiving UFE at a rate of 5.7%, compared to only 1.6% for Medicaid patients. Conversely, hysterectomy rates were higher among Medicaid patients at 28.3%, versus 22.4% for those with commercial insurance.
These differences in treatment approaches raise concerns about the quality of care available to women from different socioeconomic backgrounds. Given that Medicaid patients are more likely to be from minority communities, this disparity in fibroid treatment options may disproportionately affect women of color.
The study’s lead author emphasizes the need for increased awareness and education about UFE as a treatment option, particularly among patients and providers serving Medicaid populations. By addressing these disparities, healthcare providers can work towards ensuring more equitable access to less invasive treatment options for all women, regardless of their insurance status.
See: “Insurance influences which type of fibroid treatment a woman undergoes” (February 20, 2025)
