Disabled people under 65 constitute an especially vulnerable and underserved group within the Medicare population. In comparison to elderly enrollees, disabled beneficiaries are more likely to be poor and to report financial and other obstacles to obtaining healthcare. Recent research suggests that disabled individuals in rural areas may be disproportionately affected by health access barriers in the form of high out-of-pocket costs. These and other barriers may lead to rural-urban disparities in healthcare use among the disabled. This study used the 2009-2013 Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey to compare health access and use of health services in rural versus urban disabled Medicare beneficiaries under 65, and the factors associated with rural access problems. Findings from this study help policymakers understand the needs of the vulnerable rural population and how best to adjust Medicare benefit design and service delivery to reduce barriers to care.

Publications

• Health Care Use and Access Among Rural and Urban Nonelderly Adult Medicare Beneficiaries
  Policy Brief
  Maine Rural Health Research Center
  Date: 01/2020
  Little is known about the characteristics and healthcare use of rural residents with disabilities. This study compares access to and use of health services among rural and urban nonelderly Medicare beneficiaries with a disability and the factors associated with rural access issues.