Veterans Health Administration and Medicare Outpatient Health Care Utilization by Older Rural and Urban New England Veterans

Abstract

These findings suggest that rural access to federally funded health care is restricted relative to urban access. Older veterans may choose different systems of care for different health care services. With poor access to primary care, rural veterans may substitute emergency room visits for routine care.

Level of physical activity and quality of life: a comparative study among the elderly of rural and urban areas

“…1 When compared with urban dwellers, those who live in rural areas are generally less wealthy, with worse living and sanitation conditions, less access to medical services, lower levels of education, an increased risk of injuries linked to the environment or their socioeconomic conditions, and less access to the media. [2][3][4][5] Urban dwellers are largely seen as more technically developed than rural dwellers. In order for the population as a whole to improve, development must occur in both rural and urban areas.…”

Dual Use of VA and Non-VA Services Among Primary Care Patients with Depression

“…Dual use may provide some veterans with increased choice, access, and flexibility in their health care [7][8][9] , or provide services that are unavailable in their local VA systems 7,9-11 .…”

Resources and Capabilities of the Department of Veterans Affairs to Provide Timely and Accessible Care to Veterans

“…Veterans who are eligible for both VA care and Medicare are more likely to rely on Medicare than VA if they live in rural areas or metro-adjacent areas, or live more than 50 miles from a VA facility (Hynes et al, 2007;Kramer et al, 2011;Shen et al, 2005;Weeks, Bott, et al, 2005b). Veterans who live farther from VA facilities have been shown to be less likely to visit a VA pharmacy for prescriptions, receive a transplant, have radiation treatment, or use radiology or laboratory services at a VA facility than Veterans who live inside VA service areas or in urban areas French, Bradham, et al, 2012a;Patterson et al, 2014).…”