Amerigroup Community Care of Georgia announced a comprehensive statewide rural health initiative to expand access to care, strengthen support for providers and improve health outcomes for Medicaid members across Georgia’s most underserved communities.
As part of the effort, Amerigroup will undertake a multi-community rural health tour, visiting providers and care centers in areas with the greatest access challenges to share tools, data and support to help improve care and address local needs. The initiative is expected to support care for more than 450,000 Medicaid members and connect with approximately 1,000 providers across more than 100 rural locations statewide, reinforcing Amerigroup’s long-term commitment to rural health in Georgia. This initiative represents the first statewide effort of its kind in Georgia led by a Medicaid health plan to engage rural providers at this scale.
Rural communities across Georgia continue to face serious healthcare challenges, including higher rates of chronic disease, limited access to specialty care, transportation barriers and workforce shortages. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, people living in rural areas are at greater risk for preventable conditions and early death compared to those in urban communities. Data from national and state health reports, including America’s Health Rankings, also show higher rates of multiple chronic conditions among rural populations, underscoring the need for targeted, community-based solutions.
This initiative aligns with increased state and federal focus on strengthening rural healthcare systems, including ongoing investments and policy efforts to expand access, support providers, and improve outcomes across underserved communities.
“Rural communities are at the center of some of the most urgent healthcare challenges in Georgia,” said Mel Lindsey, president of Amerigroup Georgia. “Improving care and outcomes requires strong local partnerships and long-term commitment. Amerigroup is working alongside providers, community leaders and policymakers to strengthen care, close gaps and support healthier communities across the state.”
Through the statewide tour and digital engagement tools, Amerigroup combines in-person provider care delivery with personalized, web-based, technology-enabled support to better connect care across clinical and community settings—including in rural and hard-to-reach communities. This approach delivers timely education and care alerts to help members stay on track between visits while equipping providers with insights to improve care coordination and close gaps in care.
Key areas of focus include:
- Strengthening provider support through data-driven insights, care coordination tools and performance resources.
- Expanding access to preventive and chronic care services, including support for conditions such as diabetes, hypertension and maternal health.
- Enhancing patient engagement between visits through personalized, mobile-enabled outreach and education.
- Connecting members to essential services such as transportation, food and community-based support to address social factors that impact health.
At the center of the effort is an approach that extends care beyond traditional clinical settings, helping providers better manage population health while supporting members as they navigate their care and stay on track with treatment. By improving coordination, this initiative can also help to reduce unnecessary costs and make care more efficient.
This work is the first step in a broader, ongoing commitment to improve health outcomes in rural Georgia. Amerigroup will continue working with providers, community partners and state leaders to make care simpler, more personalized and more connected—supporting healthier communities across the state.
Additional details, including tour locations, timing and opportunities for provider, community and media engagement, will be announced in the coming weeks.
ABOUT AMERIGROUP COMMUNITY CARE OF GEORGIA
Amerigroup Community Care of Georgia helps improve healthcare access and quality for thousands of Georgians by developing innovative care management programs and services. Members are assured care that is not only accessible but also accountable, comprehensive, integrated, and patient centered. Amerigroup Georgia provides ongoing community relations and outreach to encourage members to become active participants in their health care. Through health education programs, members are empowered to choose and sustain a healthy lifestyle. For more information about Amerigroup Community Care of Georgia, visit www.myamerigroup.com/ga.
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