Medicaid is an important source of coverage and health care access for rural Americans. It is unclear; however, how characteristics, enrollment types, utilization, and expenditures differ by rurality and region. Further, it is unclear what race/ethnicity differences may exist in these factors. This study used the Medicaid Analytic Extract file to examine the characteristics of persons enrolled in Medicaid by type of eligibility. The study also examined overall utilization and total payments for this utilization. All estimates were subset by rurality and region.

Publications

• Characteristics of Rural Medicaid Recipients, 2012, 35 States
  Policy Brief
  Rural and Minority Health Research Center
  Date: 04/2018
  The purpose of this brief is to examine the characteristics of Medicaid enrollees prior to Medicaid expansion in 2014, using enrollment and claims data from the Medicaid Analytic Extract Files. This sample allowed for a detailed examination of Medicaid populations in the pre-Medicaid expansion period.
• Health Care Utilization Patterns of Rural Medicaid Recipients, 2012, 35 States
  Policy Brief
  Rural and Minority Health Research Center
  Date: 04/2018
  The purpose of this brief is to examine inpatient and other institutional encounters among individuals enrolled in Medicaid prior to expansion in 2014, using enrollment and claims data from the Medicaid Analytic eXtract Files. All Medicaid-covered individuals, institutionalized and living in the community, are included.
• The Importance of Rural Hospitals: Transfers and 30-day Readmissions Among Rural Residents and Patients Presenting at Rural Hospitals
  Journal Article
  Rural and Minority Health Research Center
  Date: 07/2018
  This study looked at reasons why transfers and readmissions occurred among Medicare patients who first came to rural hospitals.