Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Access
How Has Insurer Participation in the ACA Marketplaces Changed in 2026?
Presents data on health insurer participation in the ACA Marketplace, including the average number of ACA Marketplace insurers by state between 2014 and 2026. Includes interactive maps displaying state- and county-level data on the number of participating Marketplace insurers in 2026 and the change in the number of insurers between 2025 and 2026.
Author(s): Jared Ortaliza, Justin Lo, Matt McGough, Cynthia Cox
Date: 06/2026
Sponsoring organization: KFF
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Presents data on health insurer participation in the ACA Marketplace, including the average number of ACA Marketplace insurers by state between 2014 and 2026. Includes interactive maps displaying state- and county-level data on the number of participating Marketplace insurers in 2026 and the change in the number of insurers between 2025 and 2026.
Author(s): Jared Ortaliza, Justin Lo, Matt McGough, Cynthia Cox
Date: 06/2026
Sponsoring organization: KFF
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Marriage and Family Therapist and Mental Health Counselor Workforces in Rural America Under New Medicare Reimbursement Policy
Describes how Medicare reimbursement expanded to cover marriage and family therapists (MFTs) and mental health counselors (MHCs) in January 2024. Examines the change in Medicare-enrolled MFTs and MHCs between the third quarter (Q3) of 2023 and fourth quarter (Q4) of 2024. Presents findings from semi-structured interviews with rural health system and mental health organization leaders regarding practice arrangements, the perceived impacts of MFT and MHC reimbursement, barriers to serving rural Medicare beneficiaries, and considerations for future policies.
Author(s): Janessa M. Graves, Natalia V. Oster, Lisa A. Garberson, Davis G. Patterson, C. Holly A. Andrilla
Date: 06/2026
Sponsoring organization: WWAMI Rural Health Research Center
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Describes how Medicare reimbursement expanded to cover marriage and family therapists (MFTs) and mental health counselors (MHCs) in January 2024. Examines the change in Medicare-enrolled MFTs and MHCs between the third quarter (Q3) of 2023 and fourth quarter (Q4) of 2024. Presents findings from semi-structured interviews with rural health system and mental health organization leaders regarding practice arrangements, the perceived impacts of MFT and MHC reimbursement, barriers to serving rural Medicare beneficiaries, and considerations for future policies.
Author(s): Janessa M. Graves, Natalia V. Oster, Lisa A. Garberson, Davis G. Patterson, C. Holly A. Andrilla
Date: 06/2026
Sponsoring organization: WWAMI Rural Health Research Center
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Medicaid Home- and Community-Based Services Rebalancing Is Concentrated in Large Urban Areas
Compares rural and urban utilization of home and community-based services among Medicaid long-term services and supports users, using 2022 Transformed Medicaid Statistical Information System data sourced through an ATI Advisory LTSS user dashboard. Analyzes rural-urban disparities in access by level of rurality and by state.
Author(s): Emmaline Keesee, Laura M. Keohane
Citation: The Journal of the Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medical Association, 27(6), 106208
Date: 06/2026
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Compares rural and urban utilization of home and community-based services among Medicaid long-term services and supports users, using 2022 Transformed Medicaid Statistical Information System data sourced through an ATI Advisory LTSS user dashboard. Analyzes rural-urban disparities in access by level of rurality and by state.
Author(s): Emmaline Keesee, Laura M. Keohane
Citation: The Journal of the Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medical Association, 27(6), 106208
Date: 06/2026
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Impact and Opportunities for Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics in Rural Communities
Examines ways in which Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs) are improving access to and quality of care in rural areas. Highlights opportunities and strategies for CCBHCs to fill service gaps in rural areas and to meet or exceed program requirements.
Author(s): Renee Boak
Date: 06/2026
Sponsoring organization: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
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Examines ways in which Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs) are improving access to and quality of care in rural areas. Highlights opportunities and strategies for CCBHCs to fill service gaps in rural areas and to meet or exceed program requirements.
Author(s): Renee Boak
Date: 06/2026
Sponsoring organization: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
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Pursuing Cultural Competence in Rural Mental Health
Offers best practices for mental health practitioners treating patients in rural communities, particularly through telehealth. Discusses rural culture and stereotypes, patient and provider trust, access to resources, broadband access, and provider burnout.
Author(s): Ashley Abramson
Citation: Monitor on Psychology, 57(4), 74
Date: 06/2026
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Offers best practices for mental health practitioners treating patients in rural communities, particularly through telehealth. Discusses rural culture and stereotypes, patient and provider trust, access to resources, broadband access, and provider burnout.
Author(s): Ashley Abramson
Citation: Monitor on Psychology, 57(4), 74
Date: 06/2026
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Receipt of Psychotherapy Following PTSD Diagnosis in VA and Community Settings
Details a study exploring the role rurality plays in the likelihood of a veteran receiving psychotherapy after being diagnosed with PTSD. Bases findings on data from a cohort of patients who received a PTSD diagnosis at a VA or community care clinic from 2019-2023. Breaks down data by rural, micropolitan, and metropolitan area.
Author(s): Luke Rozema, Sarah L. Cornelius, Brian Shiner, Bradley V. Watts
Citation: Psychological Services, 23(4), 712-720
Date: 05/2026
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Details a study exploring the role rurality plays in the likelihood of a veteran receiving psychotherapy after being diagnosed with PTSD. Bases findings on data from a cohort of patients who received a PTSD diagnosis at a VA or community care clinic from 2019-2023. Breaks down data by rural, micropolitan, and metropolitan area.
Author(s): Luke Rozema, Sarah L. Cornelius, Brian Shiner, Bradley V. Watts
Citation: Psychological Services, 23(4), 712-720
Date: 05/2026
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Improving Access to Specialty Care in Rural Communities Through Project ECHO
A recorded webinar that discusses leveraging primary care and Project ECHO in rural areas that lack access to specialty care professionals. Examines how Project ECHO can support patients with chronic or complex health conditions and improve care management. Transcript available below description.
Author(s): Greg Howe, Leah Willis, Maggie McLain McDonnell, Nicolas Cuttriss
Date: 05/2026
Sponsoring organization: Center for Health Care Strategies
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A recorded webinar that discusses leveraging primary care and Project ECHO in rural areas that lack access to specialty care professionals. Examines how Project ECHO can support patients with chronic or complex health conditions and improve care management. Transcript available below description.
Author(s): Greg Howe, Leah Willis, Maggie McLain McDonnell, Nicolas Cuttriss
Date: 05/2026
Sponsoring organization: Center for Health Care Strategies
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Mobile Prosthetic and Orthotic Care (MoPOC)
Discusses the Veterans Health Administration's Mobile Prosthetic and Orthotic Care (MoPOC) Enterprise-Wide Initiative, which uses mobile labs to deliver lab services to rural veterans. Highlights program impacts, including veteran satisfaction with mobile prosthetic and orthotic care.
Date: 05/2026
Sponsoring organization: Veterans Health Administration's Office of Rural Health
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Discusses the Veterans Health Administration's Mobile Prosthetic and Orthotic Care (MoPOC) Enterprise-Wide Initiative, which uses mobile labs to deliver lab services to rural veterans. Highlights program impacts, including veteran satisfaction with mobile prosthetic and orthotic care.
Date: 05/2026
Sponsoring organization: Veterans Health Administration's Office of Rural Health
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Primary Care in Texas: A System at a Crossroads
Discusses the state of primary care in Texas and details challenges and opportunities for primary care improvement. Highlights the disproportionate impact of limited access to care and workforce shortages on rural communities.
Author(s): Sue Bornstein, Ankit Sanghavi, Dana Minney, et al.
Date: 05/2026
Sponsoring organizations: Texas Health Institute, Texas Primary Care Consortium
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Discusses the state of primary care in Texas and details challenges and opportunities for primary care improvement. Highlights the disproportionate impact of limited access to care and workforce shortages on rural communities.
Author(s): Sue Bornstein, Ankit Sanghavi, Dana Minney, et al.
Date: 05/2026
Sponsoring organizations: Texas Health Institute, Texas Primary Care Consortium
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Rural‐Urban and Racial‐Ethnic Differences in Tele‐Behavioral Health Access for Medicaid Beneficiaries
Examines how rural versus urban and racial and ethnic tele-behavioral health access varied before and during the early COVID-19 pandemic in New Mexico, using March 2019-March 2021 Medicaid claims data. Includes data comparisons of telehealth and in-person visits by demographic group, type of behavioral health service received, and level of broadband connectivity.
Author(s): Margaret Greenwood-Ericksen, Mohammed Quazi, Chloe Slator, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 42(2), e70155
Date: 05/2026
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Examines how rural versus urban and racial and ethnic tele-behavioral health access varied before and during the early COVID-19 pandemic in New Mexico, using March 2019-March 2021 Medicaid claims data. Includes data comparisons of telehealth and in-person visits by demographic group, type of behavioral health service received, and level of broadband connectivity.
Author(s): Margaret Greenwood-Ericksen, Mohammed Quazi, Chloe Slator, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 42(2), e70155
Date: 05/2026
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