Document Type
Working Paper
Publication Date
11-2015
Keywords
Rural, Medicare, out-of-pocket, beneficiaries, variation, spending, MRHRC, USM Aging Initiative, Health and Wellness. Access/Insurance
Abstract
The majority of Medicare beneficiaries experience gaps between the care they need and costs covered by Medicare and seek supplemental coverage to meet this gap, including private plans offered by former employers or purchased individually, or public coverage through Medicaid. Since rural beneficiaries are more likely to purchase supplemental indemnity coverage individually, to participate in Medicaid, or to go without supplemental coverage altogether, it is likely that their out-of-pocket spending differs from that of urban residents, although the magnitude and direction of these differences may vary for individual beneficiaries. This study used data from the 2006-2010 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey to evaluate rural-urban differences in out-of-pocket spending, supplemental coverage, and variation in spending by type of service. The proportion of total spending paid out-of-pocket is 40% higher among rural disabled Medicare beneficiaries compared to urban disabled beneficiaries. Rural disabled and elderly beneficiaries are more likely to go without any form of supplemental coverage than urban beneficiaries.
Funding Organization
Federal Office of Rural Health Policy
Grant Number
CA#U1CRH03716
Recommended Citation
Ziller EC, Lenardson JD, Coburn AF. Out-of-Pocket Spending among Rural Medicare Beneficiaries. Portland, ME: University of Southern Maine, Muskie School of Public Service, Maine Rural Health Research Center; November, 2015. Working Paper #60.
