Disparities in Access to Medicare-Approved Medical Specialists in Rural Kentucky

Authors

• Logan Hurm, Pikeville CollegeFollow
• Jacob A. Welch, Pikeville CollegeFollow
• James Adkins, Pikeville CollegeFollow

Corresponding Author

Logan Hurm: loganhurm@upike.edu

Author Affiliations

1. Logan Hurm, MS, BS: OMS-IV, College of Osteopathic Medicine, University of Pikeville - Kentucky (Pikeville KY); E-mail: loganhurm@upike.edu
2. Jacob Welch, BS: OMS-IV, College of Osteopathic Medicine, University of Pikeville – Kentucky
3. James Adkins, BA: OMS-IV, College of Osteopathic Medicine, University of Pikeville - Kentucky

Author Area of Expertise

Logan Hurm - Medicine

Jacob Welch - Medicine

James Adkins - Medicine

Abstract

Introduction: Approximately 20% of the United States population resides in a rural community; however, only 10% of all healthcare resources and physicians are dedicated to these areas. Appalachia, and Kentucky (KY) in particular, have higher populations living in rural areas which leads to a greater number of individuals affected by medical access disparities. As of 2026, 21% of KY’s population is eligible for Medicare, making access to Medicare-accepting specialty physicians crucial for the state’s population.

Purpose: This research aims to quantify healthcare disparities among rural communities in KY through quantification of the potential distance required to travel to access specialty care in rural, urban, and mixed designated zip codes.

Methods: Each county in KY was classified as urban, rural, or mixed according to population data from the 2020 United States Census and the Department of Health and Human Services. The Medicare Care Compare tool was used to find Medicare-accepting physicians or resources in selected specialties. Comparative analyses were performed to determine the average potential geographic proximity to the nearest physician, with a follow-up ANOVA and post-hoc analysis to determine significance.

Results: Rural residents had significantly further potential distances to travel for the specialties searched. Significant disparities exist in Kentucky between rural patients and counterparts living in mixed or urban counties.

Implications: Examining healthcare shortages is important in targeting change in order to improve healthcare outcomes in these patient populations. Awareness of the relative lack of healthcare access for rural patients and the understanding of specific issues facing rural communities can help guide further policy decisions and inform targeted actions to improve patient outcomes.

DOI

https://doi.org/10.13023/jah.0802.01

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

Recommended Citation

Hurm L, Welch J, Adkins J. Disparities in access to Medicare-approved medical specialists in rural Kentucky. J Appalach Health 2026; 8(2):1-13. DOI: https://doi.org/10.13023/jah.0802.01