One of the biggest issues in rural healthcare is the lack of healthcare facilities. Many rural areas don’t have enough doctors or hospitals, and appropriate care often far away. This means they may not be able to see a doctor or get lifesaving, emergency treatment quickly when they need it. Rural areas also struggle to keep doctors, nurses, and specialists due to lower salaries and the social and professional isolation of working remotely.
Financial concerns also are challenges in rural healthcare, so advanced equipment and services are often not easily available at rural hospitals, lowering the level of healthcare offered to residents. Resource access and shortages leaves patients with fewer options for treatment.
Reasons Rural Hospitals are in Danger of Closing
Another serious problem is that many rural hospitals are in danger of closing. Small hospitals can struggle financially because they don’t have enough patients to cover their operating costs. Often times, they depend on government grants and fundraising to stay afloat- this income source can be unreliable. Since 2010, more than 100 rural hospitals have closed{1}, and more are predicted to follow. Government insurance programs, like Medicare and Medicaid, are common revenue sources but these programs don’t pay enough to cover all the costs of running a hospital and haven’t kept pace with the inflation rate since the 2000s. This financial strain can make it difficult for these hospitals to stay open and serve rural communities.
When a rural hospital closes, people in that area must travel even farther to get medical care. This can be especially dangerous for people who need emergency care or have serious medical conditions. The closure of these hospitals adds more pressure on other nearby hospitals, making it harder for everyone to get the help they need.
Why It’s Important to Start Bridging the Gap Between Remote Hospitals and Urban Healthcare Resources
Solving the rural healthcare crisis requires improving the connection between rural hospitals and urban healthcare systems. Telemedicine can be a solution allowing for access to doctors for routine care. Access to specialists not available in rural areas is a benefit of telemedicine as well and is more cost effective than having to travel long distances for care.
Creating partnerships between rural hospitals and larger urban hospitals can improve access for residents. This will help rural hospitals provide better care by augmenting the availability of needed equipment and services. Additionally, improving transportation options can help rural residents get to healthcare facilities more quickly, especially in emergency situations. Air ambulances are often used in critical medical need cases when time is of the essence. Routine care transportation for those unable to drive can also improve health outcomes for rural patients.
The healthcare crisis in rural America is a serious issue that needs immediate attention. Many rural areas struggle with a lack of doctors, the closure of hospitals and long distances to travel for care. It is crucial to find ways to bridge the healthcare gap between rural and urban areas. If you live in a rural area, it’s important to know what steps to take in case of an emergency, including knowing the nearest hospital or healthcare facility and how to reach it quickly
AirMedCare Network’s mission is to bridge the gap in rural healthcare and providing financial peace-of-mind to members. From affordable telemedicine membership** to emergent air ambulance membership, patients can receive life improving and lifesaving care in their rural communities. For those residents who become hospitalized more than 150NM from home and wish to return to their local rural hospital for continuing care, Fly-U-Home membership provides bedside-to-bedside air medical transportation in these cases at no out-of-pocket cost to the patient.
{1}www.aha.org
www.ruralhealthweb.org
U.S. Department of Health & Human Services www.hrsa.gov
**AMCN Members receive access to Teladoc, a leading Telemedicine provider, at a discounted monthly rate.
Frequently Asked Questions:
If an AirMedCare Network Provider does not transport you, you will be responsible for payment. Our membership program only covers transports provided by our affiliates.
There is no limit to the number of transports a member may take in a year. Each transport is handled the same way and must be an emergent or time-sensitive transport as determined by a physician (or other appropriate provider) or first responder unaffiliated with AMCN.
With an AirMedCare Network membership, any person or persons who reside under one (residential) roof are covered. In the event we have a member who lives in a duplex or apartment complex, we designate the primary member’s residence/address— that is considered the “one roof”. Undergraduate college students can be covered under their parent’s membership as well as anyone previously residing in the household who is then moved to a permanent care facility.
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