Healthcare Access in Rural Communities – Models and Innovations

These stories feature model programs and successful rural projects that can serve as a source of ideas and provide lessons others have learned. Some of the projects or programs may no longer be active. Read about the criteria and evidence-base for programs included.

Effective Examples

Regional Oral Health Pathway

Updated/reviewed August 2023

• Need: To address the oral health needs of low-income uninsured and underinsured residents in rural Appalachia.
• Intervention: An oral health education program was implemented in Appalachian Maryland, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia.
• Results: This program increased oral health visits in the area and provided residents with valuable information on oral health resources and services.

New Mexico Mobile Screening Program for Miners

Updated/reviewed December 2022

• Need: To increase access to medical screening for miners in New Mexico.
• Intervention: A mobile screening clinic with telemedicine capability screens miners for respiratory and other conditions.
• Results: In a survey, 92% of miners reported their care as very good, while the other 8% reported it as good. The program has expanded to three other states.

Other Project Examples

Bozeman Health RV Parking Program

Added February 2024

• Need: To provide a convenient and affordable lodging option for patients who have traveled from a distance to receive medical treatment in Bozeman, Montana.
• Intervention: An RV parking program that lets anyone who is actively seeking care at Bozeman Health Deaconess Regional Medical Center stay in the hospital parking lot.
• Results: Throughout the summer of 2023, at least one patient was using an RV parking space at all times.

Delta Dental Mobile Program

Updated/reviewed March 2023

• Need: Lack of access to oral healthcare for children from limited-income families in the rural and urban areas of South Dakota.
• Intervention: Delta Dental of South Dakota launched the Delta Dental Mobile Program in 2004 to expand access to oral healthcare services to children throughout the rural state.
• Results: The Delta Dental Mobile Program has provided over $38 million in dental care to more than 68,000 South Dakota children.

Maine Critical Access Integrated Paramedics

Added August 2022

• Need: With the nearest hospital more than an hour away, the local community health center in rural Jackman, Maine struggled to maintain its ability to offer 24/7 care to due to staffing and budgetary challenges.
• Intervention: Critical Access Integrated Paramedics provide urgent care to patients after hours and on weekends.
• Results: The Jackman Community Health Center has been able to offer round-the-clock care to clinic patients, while also increasing the level of EMS service available to the community.

Ohio Northern University's HealthWise Mobile Outreach Program

Updated/reviewed July 2019

• Need: Meeting both advanced practice pharmacy student education needs and patient healthcare needs in a nearby rural/underserved area.
• Intervention: With support from multiple organizations, students in the Ohio Northern University's College of Pharmacy program use a motor coach to deliver a wide range of healthcare services during scheduled outreach visits.
• Results: In the program's first two years, point-of-care screening, immunizations, and chronic disease prevention and management education have been provided to 800+ Hardin County, Ohio, residents.