Rural hospital bypass by patients with commercial health insurance

JAMA Network Open

2026-01-22

(Press-News.org) About The Study: Rural hospital bypass (when rural residents receive care at hospitals other than their nearest hospital) rates among commercially insured patients were substantial between 2012 and 2021, generating large payments to receiving hospitals. Relative to Medicare bypass rates, commercial bypass rates were high in this sample. The findings of this study support concerns that commercial bypass contributes to financial distress at rural hospitals.

Corresponding Author: To contact the corresponding author, Caitlin E. Carroll, PhD, email carrollc@umn.edu.

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(doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2025.55017)

Editor’s Note: Please see the article for additional information, including other authors, author contributions and affiliations, conflict of interest and financial disclosures, and funding and support.

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About JAMA Network Open: JAMA Network Open is an online-only open access general medical journal from the JAMA Network. On weekdays, the journal publishes peer-reviewed clinical research and commentary in more than 40 medical and health subject areas. Every article is free online from the day of publication.

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Rural hospital bypass by patients with commercial health insurance

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