Supporting mobile medical services in North Carolina
For many people in the United States, accessing health care is a challenge. A shortage of providers, low health literacy and difficulty with transportation are just a few of the factors that can impact the ability to receive care.1
In North Carolina, this is a significant issue. A recent ranking puts it among the top 10 states where health care is considered the least accessible.2 And in Western North Carolina, a region that is rural, mountainous, and was impacted significantly by Hurricane Helene, providing solutions for care can be even more complicated.
To help expand access — particularly in this region — UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of North Carolina invested $750,000 in the mobile medical program from Appalachian Mountain Health.
A federally qualified health center, Appalachian Mountain Health provides care services at six locations in Western North Carolina. They also serve patients via a mobile medical van in Buncombe, Cherokee, Graham and Jackson counties. The services that are available through a mobile unit include:
- Primary care
- Preventive screenings
- Behavioral health
- Lab testing
- School physicals
- Wound care
The mobile medical program also provides access to dental services, as well as support from a clinical pharmacist.
The investment from UnitedHealthcare will be used to fund a second mobile unit that will include two exam rooms. This will enable Appalachian Mountain Health’s primary care providers to see double the number of patients they currently see, as the first mobile unit includes just one exam room.
Individuals who are unable to access care due to non-medical factors, including a lack of transportation or economic stability, are more likely to experience negative health outcomes.3 Mobile medical programs, like the one from Appalachian Mountain Health, can help bridge the gap that may exist due to external conditions that can impact someone’s ability to live a healthy life.4
“The ability to access health care is a challenge for far too many people. We’re proud to support Appalachian Mountain Health’s mobile medicine program which is helping to address this by providing much-needed access to care in regions where the need is great,” said Anita Bachmann, CEO of UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of North Carolina. “Through this collaboration, we’re able to make positive impact on the health and well-being of our communities.”
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