Document Type

Article

Publication Date

9-2024

Abstract

Background: There is limited information on the extent to which Rural Health Clinics (RHC) provide pediatric and pregnancy-related services to individuals enrolled in state Medicaid/CHIP programs. Methods: We used a 100% sample of the 2018 Medicaid Demographic and Eligibility and Other Services Transformed Medicaid Statistical Information System (T-MSIS) Analytic Files for 20 states to estimate pediatric and pregnancy-related services to patients enrolled in state Medicaid/CHIP programs. Results: Among children and young adults enrolled in Medicaid/CHIP in 20 states, around 1 in 10 visited a RHC in 2018. For those living in rural areas, around 1 in 5 visited an RHC in 2018. States with the highest percentage of their pediatric population visiting an RHC at least once in 2018 were Vermont (32%), Mississippi (26%), South Dakota (22%), and Montana (20%). Among reproductive age women with pregnancy-related services in 2018, 1 in 25 had a pregnancy-related visit to an RHC in 2018. For those living in rural areas, this was approximately 1 in 11. States with the highest percentage of their pregnancy-related population visiting an RHC at least once in 2018 for a pregnancy-related visit were Mississippi (13%), Vermont (11%), Kentucky (9%), South Dakota (9%), and Montana (9%). The distribution of health services provided and medical conditions seen varied across states. Conclusion: Further work is needed to understand the key factors contributing to observed differences in the volume of RHC encounters by state, as well as the variation in health services provided and the medical conditions seen at RHCs.

For more information on this study, please contact Katherine Ahrens (katherine.ahrens@maine.edu)

Comments

Policy Brief

Funding Organization

HRSA-Federal Office of Rural Health Policy

Grant Number

Grant #CAU1CRH03716

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