UnitedHealth Group is expanding its rural health hubs in Tennessee, aiming to bring primary care closer to residents in underserved areas. The insurer is investing $4 million to grow the state’s network from five to 13 centers by the end of 2027. This expansion targets West, Middle, and East Tennessee counties.
UnitedHealth has partnered with the University of Tennessee Health Sciences to scale the academic health system’s hub model. The funding supports community-based models focused on rural health, maternal and child health, and preventive care. The company is providing technical support to help the hubs generate sustainable funding and improve data sharing.
The United Health Foundation has committed $20 million to the nationwide Communities of Health initiative. This funding supports the development of neighborhood health hubs that offer screenings, health coaching, exercise groups, and healthy cooking classes in accessible locations. Since 2022, the initiative has served over 4,000 people through more than 20,000 visits to help manage chronic conditions like high blood pressure and diabetes.
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More than half of the participants have lowered their blood pressure, reducing the risk of serious complications. The program builds on nearly $2 million in support already provided to the state. UnitedHealth Group is also working with the Tennessee Rural Health Care Center of Excellence to create career pathways for rural health professionals.
This includes dual certification programs for physician assistants, nurse practitioners, midwives, and health coaches. By supporting these local careers, the initiative aims to address the shortage of healthcare providers in rural areas. The expansion comes as a growing number of states struggle to retain medical professionals in small communities.
“By expanding our health hub network and strengthening pathways into the health professions, we are bringing preventive care, health education and support services closer to where people live,” said Dr. Peter Buckley, chancellor of the University of Tennessee Health Sciences. The centers are currently located at University of Tennessee Extension Centers in Hardin and Decatur counties.
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“The innovation in Tennessee’s health hubs is about human connection – building trust, understanding individual and community needs, and bringing care and compassion that actually improves health,” said Catherine Anderson, senior vice president for health optimization at UnitedHealth Group. She noted that healthcare works best when people connect directly with one another and trust the care they receive.
“UnitedHealth Group has helped us strengthen our neighborhood health hub model so that more people can get access to the most essential preventive and primary care services,” said Dr. Jim Bailey, director of the Tennessee Population Health Consortium at UT Health Sciences. He emphasized that access to care is a fundamental right. The program reinforces a shift from treating illness to a proactive culture of preventive well-being across the community.