# Rural Hospitals Must Review Claims Before Cutting Care

> Rural hospitals should review insurance claims before reducing services to protect community access to care.
- Title: Rural Hospitals Must Review Claims Before Cutting Care
- Summary: Rural hospitals should review insurance claims before reducing services to protect community access to care. Rural hospitals must review unpaid insurance…
- Keywords: rural hospitals, insurance claims, service cuts, healthcare access, hospital closures, u.s. census bureau, university of north carolina, sheps center, government accountability office, becker's hospital review, Rural, Hospitals
- Source: Newsweek — https://newsweek.com/rural-hospitals-should-review-claims-before-cuts-12592074
- Published: 2026-10-20T14:32:16+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: rural hospitals, insurance claims, service cuts, healthcare access, hospital closures, u.s. census bureau, university of north carolina, sheps center, government accountability office, becker's hospital review
## Rural Hospital Closures Impact Communities
A parent may need a longer journey for urgent care. An older resident may have to find someone willing to drive farther for treatment.
## Rural America's Healthcare Needs
The U.S. Census Bureau counted approximately 66.3 million rural residents in 2020, representing approximately 20 percent of the population.
## Hospital Closures Since 2005
The University of North Carolina’s Sheps Center records 109 complete rural hospital closures since January 2005, alongside 88 conversions that ended inpatient services.
## Increased Distance to Care
A Government Accountability Office analysis found the median distance to general inpatient care increased by about 20 miles after rural hospital closures.
## 43% of Hospitals Operating at a Loss
An October Becker’s Hospital Review report cited 43 percent of hospitals operating at a loss based on August 2026 data.
## Review Claims Before Cutting Services
Hospital leaders should review and recover legitimate insurance payments before reducing services to protect access to care.
## Protecting Local Healthcare Access
Rural families cannot resolve institutional problems themselves; they can reasonably expect healthcare providers to pursue options within reach.
## Key takeaway

Rural hospitals must review unpaid insurance claims before cutting services to prevent reduced healthcare access for communities.