Research Alert: December 19, 2024

Rural-Urban Medicaid and CHIP Enrollee Comparisons Using the 2019 T-MSIS Analytic File

This brief used data from the 2019 Transformed Medicaid Statistical Information System (T-MSIS) Analytic Files (TAF) to compare urban and rural residents enrolled in either fee-for-service or managed care Medicaid. Researchers examined whether enrollees had 12 continuous months of full-scope benefits and whether they had full dual enrollment in Medicare and Medicaid. Demographic data such as sex, age, race and ethnicity, and income were compared across levels of rurality. Medicaid enrollment was also examined by state and levels of rurality. This brief provides an early look at the suitability of TAF for rural and urban comparisons.

Key Findings:

Overall, researchers found TAF 2019 demographic data were useful for national rural and urban comparisons except for income. Race and ethnicity data were also limited for many states, which restricted the analysis. In addition:

• A higher percentage of children were enrolled in rural versus urban areas
• A higher percentage of white people were enrolled in rural versus urban areas
• Rural enrollees were more likely to have continuous coverage than urban enrollees

Additional Resources of Interest:

• More FORHP-funded research on Medicaid and CHIP
• More information about the North Carolina Rural Health Research and Policy Analysis Center