Rural ER visits jumped more than 50% in 12 years - Entrepreneur Generations

Visits to the emergency department in rural areas have increased more than 50% since 2005, especially among non-Hispanic white patients age 18-64, Medicare beneficiaries, and patients without insurance, according to a study by researchers from the University of New Mexico Albuquerque and the University of Michigan found. Though the rural population fell in that time, the study adjusts for population rate. 

"Increased visits by young to middle-aged white rural patients—particularly Medicaid beneficiaries and those without insurance—may indicate an increased burden of illness or challenges in access to alternative care sites,” the authors write. The jump in Medicaid-funded visits is likely because some states expanded Medicaid under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. The authors also found an increase in the proportion of rural hospitals classified as safety-net hospitals, which by law must serve patients regardless of their financial status. If these trends continue, rural hospitals could face worsening financial troubles, the authors write.

Overall, rural ED visits increased from 16.7 million to 28.4 million while urban visits increased from 98.6 million to 117.2 million. Put another way, that's a jump from 36.5 to 64.5 ED visits for every 100 rural people, and an increase from 40.2 to 42.8 ED visits for every 100 urban people, the study says.

ED visit data came from the national Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey. Rurality was defined using Office of Management and Budget classification. Safety-net status was determined using the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention definition. Visit rates were calculated using Census Bureau estimates. Results had a 95% confidence interval. 

from The Rural Blog http://bit.ly/2v6KdFF Rural ER visits jumped more than 50% in 12 years - Entrepreneur Generations

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