Essential Insights: Transforming pharmacy visits into health care connections

Across the U.S., many Medicaid members live in communities where health care access is limited. In these neighborhoods, local pharmacies often serve as one of the most trusted and frequent points of contact for care. Research shows that individuals managing chronic conditions interact with their pharmacist three to four times more often than with their primary care provider, highlighting the impact pharmacies can have on closing care gaps.¹

In our Essential Insights video, “Connect to Care Through Local Pharmacies,” we explore how UnitedHealthcare Community & State, through its Pharmacy Care Hub initiative and collaborations with networks such as CPESN USA, is expanding the role of local pharmacies to provide more than medications.

UnitedHealthcare’s Kristi Fowler, Director of Medicaid Pharmacy Growth & Innovation, sits down with Madeline Clark, Lead of the CPESN NextGeneration Luminary Initiative, to discuss:

• How pharmacy practice expansion is addressing provider shortages and improving outcomes
• Services pharmacies now offer, including chronic disease management, health coaching, point-of-care testing and virtual doctor visits
• Why pharmacies are especially important for rural communities and trusted by patients
• Member stories that showcase how pharmacy-based care reduces emergency room visits, improves adherence and builds trust in the health system
• The long-term vision for sustaining pharmacy-based care models through reimbursement and innovation

Clark highlights how the Pharmacy Care Hub transforms pharmacies into community care hubs, bringing health services closer to home, reducing avoidable utilization and ensuring members feel supported. By investing in pharmacy collaborations, Medicaid managed care organizations can expand preventive care, reduce strain on traditional health systems and deliver more personal, effective support for members.

Watch the full video to learn how local pharmacies are reshaping care delivery and helping close significant gaps in health outcomes.

Learn more about how we impact our members by visiting our UnitedHealthcare Community & State page.

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