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Expanding rural managed care: enrollment patterns and prospects
I Moscovice1, M Casey, S Krein
1University of Minnesota, USA.
Health Affairs (Project Hope)
|February 10, 1998
Summary
Rural Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) enrollment remains low despite widespread availability. Future increases in rural managed care enrollment are anticipated due to policy changes and expanded capacity.
Area of Science:
- Health Services Research
- Rural Health Policy
- Managed Care Organizations
Background:
- Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs) are a significant component of managed care.
- Rural areas have historically faced challenges in accessing managed care services.
- Understanding current enrollment patterns is crucial for future healthcare planning.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize national data on rural HMO enrollment across commercial, Medicaid, and Medicare plans.
- To assess the current penetration of HMOs in rural counties.
- To identify factors influencing future rural managed care enrollment.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of national data on rural HMO enrollment.
- Examination of commercial HMOs, Medicaid HMOs, prepaid plans, and Medicare risk-based plans.
- Review of policy changes impacting managed care in rural areas.
Main Results:
- Most rural counties have at least one commercial HMO service area.
- Rural HMO enrollment rates are currently very low.
- Significant policy changes are underway that may affect rural enrollment.
Conclusions:
- Despite broad availability, rural HMO enrollment is limited.
- Policy initiatives like Medicaid waivers and the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 are expected to increase rural managed care enrollment.
- Future research should monitor trends in rural managed care adoption.