Rural, Dual-Eligible Patients Less Likely to Begin Timely Home Health Rehab, Study Finds

McKnight's Long-Term Care News

Aug 27, 2026

Authors of a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Directors Association found that rural residents and dual-eligible patients had less access to home health rehabilitation services within 48 hours of discharge from the hospital. Results were based on data from Medicare and Medicare Advantage beneficiaries 65 and older who received home healthcare services after hip or knee replacement surgery between 2021-2023.

Aging and aging-related services · Home health · Older adults · Rural-urban differences