How pharmacies support residents in rural communities
In the quiet corners of rural America, where neighbors are few but familiar, access to health care can feel like a distant promise. For many, the nearest doctor is hours away and even a simple check-up can mean missed work, long drives and weeks of waiting — and that’s if someone has access to transportation to get there.
“Across the country, many Medicaid members live in areas where traditional health care resources are limited,” said Kristi Fowler, director of Medicaid Pharmacy Growth & Innovation at UnitedHealthcare Community & State. “Pharmacies are often one of the most trusted points of contact in these communities, where individuals already go to pick up prescriptions, ask health questions and stay connected to care.”
This was the reality for Earl,1 a 45-year-old man living with multiple chronic conditions. Earl was no stranger to the emergency room — it was his go-to when symptoms flared. Thankfully, that changed when his local pharmacy became more than just a place to pick prescriptions; it became a hub for care.
Rural communities struggle with multiple barriers to care:
- There are severe provider shortages, with only 13.1 physicians per 10,000 people in rural areas.2
- On average, it took 31 days for new patients to schedule a doctor’s appointment in 2025.3
- Telehealth, while promising, remains out of reach for many due to limited broadband access and technology literacy.
UnitedHealthcare saw an opportunity to bring care closer to home. Partnering with local community pharmacies, they launched the Rx Care Hub Telehealth program, transforming trusted neighborhood pharmacies into one-stop care centers. Nearly 9 in 10 Americans live within five miles of a pharmacy.4 In rural areas, pharmacists are often the first — and sometimes only — health care contact.
“At UnitedHealthcare, we’re working to strengthen that relationship by collaborating with community pharmacies to deliver more than medications,” Kristi said. “Through our Pharmacy Care Hub initiative and collaboration with pharmacy-provider networks like CPESN USA, we are making it easier for members to receive timely care, ask questions about their health and even connect with a doctor virtually, all from their neighborhood pharmacy.”
The pharmacists, neighbors to many of the community members they serve, are already trusted advisors in rural communities, and are trained to provide point-of-care testing and support telehealth visits. This model provides:
- Private spaces in pharmacies host secure virtual visits with UnitedHealthcare’s network of physicians via Doctor Chat.
- Technology-enabled devices, funded by UnitedHealthcare, that connect pharmacists and doctors in real time.
- Testing, diagnosis, treatment and medication for patients all in one visit, often within walking distance of home.
For Jerod,1 58, who was recently released from incarceration, finding a doctor felt impossible. He was frustrated, anxious and suffering from existing conditions that needed consistent care. Thankfully at his local pharmacy, he found more than medication — he found care. The pharmacy team checked his blood pressure, connected him with a virtual doctor and started him on life-saving therapies. He left with a plan, support and hope.
The initial results indicate significant promise. Currently, the program is operational in these five markets:
- Virginia
- North Carolina
- Tennessee
- Florida
- Kansas
CPESN USA encompasses over 3,500 pharmacies across 45 states and the District of Columbia, offering extensive opportunities for further program expansion. In 2024, more than 500,000 C&S members utilized a community pharmacy within the CPESN network, with nearly 25,000 residing in medically underserved areas. This highlights the importance of expanding the program to strengthen efforts to reduce persistent health care disparities.
By empowering pharmacists to practice at the top of their license, UnitedHealthcare is helping ease the burden on the health care system and also restoring dignity and access to care for those who need it most.
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