Tools and Resources to Address Outmigration

What is Outmigration?

Outmigration occurs when patients leave their community to receive care at facilities elsewhere despite local availability. Patients who seek care outside of their rural community is divided into avoidable bypass (driven by patient access, perception, and preference) or unavoidable bypass (driven by lack of services/medical necessity). For rural health care organizations, understanding the reasoning behind this decision is key in expanding access, enhancing service lines, and strengthening patient loyalty.

How does outmigration impact rural providers?

Financial challenges: When patients seek care outside of their community, rural organizations lose revenue that supports day-to-day operations and essential services.
Service reductions: Declining patient volumes can make it difficult to maintain service lines, particularly specialties. Elimination only maintains the cycle of patients seeking care outside of their community.
Workforce shortages: Low patient volumes can limit rural organizations' ability to retain health care professionals therefore placing the workload on remaining staff.
Community health risks: Reduced access to care can lead to poorer health outcomes and increased health disparities in rural communities.

We're here to help

The Center is proud to offer expert guidance to rural health care organizations that turns outmigration analysis into actionable steps. Our Rural Outmigration Technical Assistance Briefs are designed to address the various factors that influence outmigration decisions and offers strategic guidance to help rural health care organizations retain patients and essential services. These briefs were created by the Technical Assistance and Services Center, a program of The Center, and funded by the Health Resources and Services Administration's Federal Office of Rural Health Policy.