Citation

Smith ML, Prohaska TR, Macleod KE, Ory MG, Eisenstein AR, Ragland DR, Irmiter C, Towne SD, Satariano WA. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2017; 14(2): e14020174.

Affiliation

School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA 92521, USA. bills@berkeley.edu.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2017, MDPI: Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute)

DOI

10.3390/ijerph14020174

PMID

28208610

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Older adults in rural areas have unique transportation barriers to accessing medical care, which include a lack of mass transit options and considerable distances to health-related services. This study contrasts non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT) service utilization patterns and associated costs for Medicaid middle-aged and older adults in rural versus urban areas.

METHODS: Data were analyzed from 39,194 NEMT users of LogistiCare-brokered services in Delaware residing in rural (68.3%) and urban (30.9%) areas. Multivariable logistic analyses compared trip characteristics by rurality designation.

RESULTS: Rural (37.2%) and urban (41.2%) participants used services more frequently for dialysis than for any other medical concern. Older age and personal accompaniment were more common and wheel chair use was less common for rural trips. The mean cost per trip was greater for rural users (difference of $2910 per trip), which was attributed to the greater distance per trip in rural areas.

CONCLUSIONS: Among a sample who were eligible for subsidized NEMT and who utilized this service, rural trips tended to be longer and, therefore, higher in cost. Over 50% of trips were made for dialysis highlighting the need to address prevention and, potentially, health service improvements for rural dialysis patients.

Language: en

Keywords

United States of America; aging; healthcare access; non-emergency medical transportation; rural; transportation; travel distance