Older Americans may be willing to travel farther for medical care than many policymakers assume, according to new research examining how seniors access health services. A study published in JAMA Network Open found that many adults age 65 and older are willing to travel more than an hour for routine or specialized care.
Researchers surveyed more than 2,600 older adults across the United States and asked how long they currently travel for care and how much farther they would be willing to go before delaying or skipping an appointment. On average, respondents said they would travel about 68 minutes for primary care visits, roughly 113 minutes for diagnostic tests such as MRIs and about 128 minutes to see a specialist.
However, the willingness to travel varied widely. Seniors with higher incomes, reliable transportation and more education were generally more open to longer trips. In contrast, those in poorer health, those who previously struggled with transportation and many people living in large cities were less willing to travel extended distances. Researchers say the findings highlight how access to transportation and personal resources can influence whether older adults receive timely medical care.
SOURCE:
News Medical, March 13, 2026