On the road to early detection: Mobile mammography in Kentucky

Breast cancer remains one of the most common cancers among women, yet early detection through routine mammograms can dramatically improve outcomes and save lives. In Kentucky, however, too many women face barriers that delay or prevent timely screenings. According to America’s Health Rankings, only 69% of women in the state reported receiving a mammogram in the past two years, placing Kentucky 38th in the nation.¹ Rural communities are especially impacted, where limited imaging facilities, long travel distances, transportation challenges and fewer available appointments make preventive care difficult to access.

UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Kentucky launched a statewide mobile mammography initiative which ran from October 1 through November 26. The program delivered no-cost breast cancer screenings directly to communities across rural Kentucky, making preventive care more convenient and accessible for UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Kentucky members. The initiative aimed to help more women receive their recommended annual or biannual mammograms and increase Breast Cancer Screening–Electronic Clinical Data (BCS-E) measures.

Designed with community needs in mind, the initiative featured flexible scheduling, walk-in opportunities when available, a member incentive and close collaboration with local clinics throughout the Commonwealth. Over 250 women were screened at 29 different clinics. These efforts helped transform how rural women accessed preventive breast health services.

Expanding access through community-based care

At the heart of the initiative was a fully equipped mobile mammography unit that brought screenings directly to trusted clinic locations within local communities. By embedding services where women already receive care, the program removed significant access barriers and encouraged greater participation in preventive screenings.

Operationally, the mobile unit was available Mondays through Fridays, offering 14 to 21 appointment slots per day depending on community demand. Clinics used Patient Care Opportunity Reports (PCOR) to identify UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Kentucky members who were overdue for screenings and proactively scheduled appointments. This targeted outreach helped the mobile unit serve women with the greatest need while maximizing daily screening capacity. The initiative focused specifically on rural regions where access to imaging services is most limited, helping women who might otherwise delay or forgo preventive care.

Streamlined care coordination with local clinics

Strong collaboration with local clinics and health centers was central to the success of the mobile mammography program. Clinics helped identify eligible members through PCOR lists, schedule appointments and coordinate day-of operations with the mobile unit team.

On screening days, patients arrived at their scheduled times, received their mammogram and returned home without the burden of long-distance travel. All imaging was read offsite by board-certified radiologists, and results were sent directly to both the member and their primary care provider. This seamless workflow supports continuity of care and makes any needed follow-up an efficient process. By strengthening coordination between clinics, imaging providers and primary care teams, the initiative supports better preventive care follow-through and reinforces a proactive model of care.

Reducing barriers through member support and incentives

Cost, time and uncertainty often keep women from getting screened. This initiative directly addressed those challenges by offering no-cost mammograms to eligible UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Kentucky members. In addition, members who completed their screening received a $25 incentive, further encouraging participation and proactive engagement in preventive health.

Walk-in appointments were also accommodated as time allowed, offering additional flexibility for women who may struggle with scheduling around work, childcare or transportation. These layered supports are especially meaningful for women who are overdue for a screening or who have never had a mammogram before.

Raising awareness across the state

Beyond delivering screenings, UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Kentucky is also helping raise awareness about the importance of breast health through community engagement. The health plan additionally participated in the Susan G. Komen Walk in Louisville, where the mobile mammography unit was available for walk-throughs and educational conversations. While no screenings were performed at the event, the experience allowed participants to see inside the unit, ask questions and better understand what to expect from a mammogram, helping dispel fear and uncertainty around the procedure.

Advancing positive health outcomes through access and prevention

UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Kentucky’s mobile mammography initiative made a measurable impact by bringing preventive care directly to women who face the steepest barriers to access. With 35 clinic days across the state, 14 to 21 appointment slots per day and a coordinated, provider-led scheduling process, the program demonstrated how managed care can deploy practical, scalable solutions to improve public health.

By meeting women where they are, supporting early cancer detection and strengthening care coordination, UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Kentucky is helping improve screening rates, enhance long-term health outcomes and build healthier, more informed communities across the Commonwealth. Through continued investment in place-based, person-centered solutions, the health plan remains committed to helping every woman access the preventive care she needs.

Learn more about how we utilize mobile units to help our members access necessary care through our pediatric mobile care article.

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