Access to home health care can be challenging for rural Medicare clients. Key informants for this study from across the U.S. detailed these obstacles, which include financial, regulatory, workforce, and geographic issues, as well as solutions that merit consideration. Rural communities, especially those served by small and non-profit home health agencies, will likely benefit from payment reforms that reward quality services while providing incentives to innovate and use best practices in home health care.
Contact Information:
Susan M. Skillman, MS
WWAMI Rural Health Research Center
Phone: 206.543.3557
skillman@uw.edu
http://depts.washington.edu/fammed/rhrc/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2016/02/RHRC_FR152_Skillman.pdf