Research
Current Projects
An Empirical Study of Health Insurance Firm Participation over Time in Rural Counties
We examine changes in firm participation in multiple health insurance markets (FEHBP, MA, HIMs) over time in rural counties. We hypothesize that participation is related inversely to population density, as it becomes more difficult to spread risk, and as network formation becomes more challenging as primary and specialty care become less available.
Funder: ORHP
Lead Researcher: Tim McBride, PhD
Impact of Capping Medicare Disproportionate Share Hospital Payments on Rural Hospitals
Rural hospitals receiving Medicare prospective payment system payment and receiving disproportionate share hospital payments are subject to a 12% cap on those payments. This project will provide information on the number and location of rural hospitals subject to this cap and the fiscal impact.
Funder: ORHP
Lead Researcher: Keith Mueller, PhD
Medicare Beneficiary Access to Prescription Drugs Under Part D
This study will build on RUPRI Center work describing patterns of enrollment into Medicare Part D plans (including access to zero deductible plans) by using transaction files to analyze how medications are actually acquired and implications for access to local pharmacy services.
Funder: ORHP
Lead Researcher: Keith Mueller, PhD
Rural and Urban Sources of Insurance Coverage: the Role of Public and Private Coverage over Time
We will estimate the percent of rural residents obtaining insurance coverage under each of the major options available to them using multiple data sets and a methodology that accounts for multiple sources of coverage. We will compare rural and urban coverage sources and changes in coverage over time.
Funder: ORHP
Lead Researcher: Tim McBride, PhD
Rural Community Response to Hospital Closure
The Rural Community Response to Hospital Closure project will study how rural communities adapt to local hospital closure. Within selected communities, the project will evaluate the impact of hospital closure on multiple community health-related services and characteristics.
Funder: ORHP
Lead Researcher: Keith Mueller, PhD
The Rural/Urban Impact of Insurance Coverage Changes
We will examine the impacts of changes in health insurance coverage during the last several years on use of health services and health outcomes separately for rural and urban areas. Due to differences in demand and supply level factors, we hypothesize that the effects of coverage changes differ by rural/urban status.
Funder: ORHP
Lead Researcher: Dan Shane, PhD and George Wehby, PhD
What Factors Influence Rural Hospitals' Participation in Accountable Care Organizations?
This project examines rural hospitals' participation in Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs); identifies factors that influence ACO participation; compares whether different factors influence rural/urban hospital participation in ACOs; and analyzes factors influencing Critical Access Hospitals' participation in the Medicare Shared Savings Program.
Funder: ORHP
Lead Researcher: Xi Zhu, PhD
What Makes Successful Rural Accountable Care Organizations Successful?
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services plans to shift at least 50% of traditional Medicare spending into alternative payment models by 2018. Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) represent a popular model in both the Medicare and Medicaid programs. This study used multiple methods to find what makes a successful ACO.
Funder: ORHP
Lead Researcher: Keith Mueller, PhD