Bridging the Health Care Gap in Rural Communities

Preventive health care saves lives, but for people living in rural areas, access is limited.

In many rural communities, distance, lack of transportation and primary care provider shortages are just some of the barriers limiting access to preventive screenings and services. Research shows that rural communities have roughly 40% fewer physicians per capita than urban areas, and by 2037, the supply of rural physicians is projected to meet only 68% of the total demand.

Signify Health is bridging the health care gap in rural communities. By deploying a clinician network consisting of over 11,000 physicians, nurse practitioners and physician assistants, we provide comprehensive health assessments to eligible health plan members in their homes.

Last year, our clinician network performed over 3.5 million In-Home Health Evaluations (IHEs) across the country. Nearly one-quarter of those visits took place in rural counties.

Craig Thompson is a nurse practitioner who often travels up to 160 miles to reach members in rural Colorado. For some of the members that he sees, they choose between driving long distances for care or skipping it entirely.

A retired veteran, Craig joined Signify Health’s clinician network because of a desire to build supportive connections with people. “I’ve always enjoyed helping others, even when I was in the Army,” he says. “[With Signify Health,] I feel like I’m making a difference in people’s lives.”

During the in-home visit, clinicians like Craig spend up to an hour understanding what’s impacting someone’s health, with the ability to collect over 300 clinical and social data points to build a complete health history. Often sitting knee-to-knee with a member in their home, he’ll assess physical and mental health; review prescription medications; and identify barriers to health like food insecurity and fall risk.

Post visit, the goal is clear: connect people back to care. The member, their health plan and primary care provider receive a visit summary and Signify Health care coordinators follow up to help members take the next step for their health. When a member is missing a screening or a follow-up visit for a chronic condition, clinicians and coordinators help them schedule appointments and reengage the broader health ecosystem.

For rural communities facing persistent access challenges, Signify Health is helping ensure more people receive the care, support and follow-up they need to stay healthy.

Many health plans offer these in-home health visits at no cost to eligible members.
For more information, visit HelloSignify.com or call 1-855-984-5121.