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Resources by Topic: Rural-urban differences

Prescription Drug Spending and Coverage Among Rural Medicare Beneficiaries in 2003
Examines out-of-pocket spending on prescription drugs by noninstitutionalized rural Medicare beneficiaries age 65 and older. Includes information on supplemental insurance coverage among rural and urban Medicare beneficiaries.
Author(s): Craig Caplan, Normandy Brangan
Date: 2004
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: AARP Public Policy Institute
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Rural Minority Children's Access to and Timeliness of Immunizations: 1993-2001
Reports findings from a study to assess the quality of healthcare provided to rural minority children, using timeliness of immunization as an indicator of quality.
Additional links: Fact Sheet
Author(s): Arch G. Mainous III, Terrence E. Steyer, Mark E. Geesey
Date: 11/2003
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Rural and Minority Health Research Center (formerly the South Carolina Rural Health Research Center)
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Rural-Urban Issues in the Wage Index Adjustment for Prospective Payment in Skilled Nursing Facilities
Discusses the use of the hospital wage index for the skilled nursing facility prospective payment system (SNF PPS) and how a change to an SNF wage index would impact rural and urban skilled nursing facilities. Also identifies some related issues that impact reimbursement to SNFs in both urban and rural areas.
Additional links: Findings Brief, January 2004
Author(s): Kathleen Dalton, Rebecca Slifkin
Date: 11/2003
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: North Carolina Rural Health Research Program
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Are There Geographic Disparities in Out-of-Pocket Spending by Medicare Beneficiaries?
Describes a study comparing out-of-pocket spending among rural and urban Medicare recipients. Includes data on differences based on supplemental insurance coverage.
Author(s): Tiffany A. Radcliff, Gestur Davidson, Aram Dobalian,
Date: 10/2003
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
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Health Insurance Coverage of the Rural and Urban Near Elderly
Results of a study of health insurance coverage of those between 55 and 64 years old. Includes data for rural and urban near elderly. Covers sources of health insurance coverage and rates of uninsurance.
Author(s): Erika C. Ziller, Andrew F. Coburn
Date: 10/2003
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Maine Rural Health Research Center
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Physician Workforce: Supply Increased in Metropolitan and Nonmetropolitan Areas but Geographic Disparities Persisted
Describes the change in supply of physicians from 1991 to 2001. Includes data nationally and by state on physicians in nonmetropolitan areas and on the number of specialists versus generalists. Includes a list of Health Resources and Services Administration programs that address the supply and distribution of health professionals, with 1991 and 2001 expenditures for each program.
Additional links: Full Report
Date: 10/2003
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Government Accountability Office
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Availability and Use of Health Plan Choices in Rural America: Medicare+Choice, Commercial HMO, and Federal Employees Health Benefit Program Plans
Discusses availability of Medicare+Choice (M+C), commercial HMO, and Federal Employee Health Benefit Program (FEHBP) insurance plans, and the potential impact of M+C service delivery area changes on healthcare access in rural areas.
Author(s): Timothy McBride, Courtney Andrews, Keith Mueller, Michael Shambaugh-Miller
Date: 10/2003
Type: Document
Sponsoring organizations: RUPRI Center for Rural Health Policy Analysis, Rural Policy Research Institute
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Health Insurance Coverage in Rural America: Chartbook
Information on rural-urban differences in health insurance coverage and differences in socio-economic and employment characteristics of those living in rural versus urban counties.
Additional links: The Uninsured in Rural America Fact Sheet
Author(s): Erika C. Ziller, Andrew F. Coburn, Stephenie L. Loux, Catherine Hoffman, Timothy D. McBride
Date: 09/2003
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: KFF
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Ambulance Services: Medicare Payments Can be Better Targeted to Trips in Less Densely Populated Rural Areas
Covers factors that affect ambulance costs per trip, how these factors vary across geographic areas, and how well Medicare payments account for geographic cost differences.
Additional links: Full Report
Date: 09/2003
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Government Accountability Office
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The Contribution of Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants to Generalist Care in Washington State
Describes the contribution to generalist care made by nurse practitioners (NPs) and physician assistants (PAs) in Washington State. Includes data on NP and PA contributions in rural areas.
Author(s): Eric H. Larson, Lorella Palazzo, Bobbi Berkowitz, Michael J. Pirani, L. Gary Hart
Citation: Health Services Research, 38(4), 1033-1050
Date: 08/2003
Type: Document
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