Utilization of Inpatient and Emergency Services by Rural and Urban Medicaid Enrollees

Researchers from the North Carolina Rural Health Research and Policy Analysis Center focused on inpatient and emergency department health care utilization.  Among the key findings: non-Hispanic Black enrollees had the highest utilization rates compared to enrollees that were non-Hispanic White, and Hispanic of any race. Hispanic enrollees of any race had the lowest utilization rates. Utilization was lowest in Isolated Rural areas, and often highest in Large Rural areas.