Ashley Hernandez, MSPH

Phone: 254.366.4435
Email: herna806@umn.edu

University of Minnesota
2221 University Ave. SE #350
Minneapolis, MN 55414

Publications - (7)

Contact by Collection Agencies for Medical Debt: Rural-Urban Differences Among Older and Younger Medicare Beneficiaries
Journal Article
University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
Date: 02/2022
This study uses data from the 2016 Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey (n = 12,688 U.S. community-dwelling beneficiaries) to understand the impact of medical debt for rural residents. The study analyzed rural-urban differences in rates of collection agency contact for unpaid medical bills.

Barriers to Health Care Access for Rural Medicare Beneficiaries: Recommendations From Rural Health Clinics
Policy Brief
University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
Date: 01/2021
This brief presents findings from an online survey of Rural Health Clinics describing barriers for Medicare patients in accessing healthcare services and recommendations for how to improve access to care for Medicare beneficiaries in rural areas.

Supporting the Health and Wellbeing of Middle-Aged Adults Living Alone in Rural Counties
University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
Date: 06/2020
This report shares insights from healthcare providers in 14 rural counties with the highest rates of middle-aged adults living alone in order to inform policy and practice in how best to support the health and well-being of this demographic.
Differences by Rurality in Satisfaction With Care Among Medicare Beneficiaries
Journal Article
University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
Date: 05/2020
There are stark differences between rural and urban areas in demographic characteristics, health status, and healthcare. Yet less is known about rural‐urban differences in Medicare beneficiaries' satisfaction with care. We seek to understand rural‐urban differences in satisfaction with care for Medicare beneficiaries.

Access and Capacity to Care for Medicare Beneficiaries in Rural Health Clinics
Policy Brief
University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
Date: 12/2019
Access to timely, high-quality healthcare is essential for health, but rural areas face particular barriers to access, including for primary care. We present findings from an online survey of RHCs describing clinic characteristics related to healthcare access for rural Medicare beneficiaries.
Access to Specialty Care for Medicare Beneficiaries in Rural Communities
Policy Brief
University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
Date: 12/2019
Access to care is a challenge in many rural communities for both primary care services and specialty care services. We present findings from an online survey of Rural Health Clinics describing access issues for rural Medicare beneficiaries in seeking care from specialty care providers.
Rural-Urban Differences in Access to and Attitudes Toward Care for Medicare Beneficiaries
Policy Brief
University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center
Date: 12/2019
Access to healthcare is important to health outcomes and well-being. Even among Medicare beneficiaries, access to care may differ by rural-urban location due to differences in the healthcare and socio-demographic landscape. We describe rural-urban differences in access to care for Medicare beneficiaries.