Rural Project Examples Addressing Service delivery models

Updated/reviewed May 2025

Need: To prevent new cases of HIV in rural Iowa.
Intervention: TelePrEP provides preventive care via telehealth and prescription delivery.
Results: Between February 2017 and August 2020, TelePrEP received 456 referrals, with 403 patients completing an initial visit.

Added August 2024

Need: Solutions for Medicare beneficiaries' post-acute care recovery gaps in Arkansas's southeast Delta Region.
Intervention: Supported by federal funding and their membership organization, seven hospitals implemented an evidence-supported Critical Access Hospital transitional care model.
Results: Participating hospitals found a significant increase in swing bed services revenue, an all-cause low readmission rate, high percentage of patients discharged to home or to an assisted living environment, and positive patient satisfaction surveys.

Updated/reviewed May 2024

Need: To address and treat substance use disorder (SUD) and depression in the Upper Great Lakes region.
Intervention: Cross-Walk, a program that integrates behavioral healthcare into primary care services, was developed in Michigan's Marquette County.
Results: The collaborative efforts strengthened care management services in local healthcare facilities as primary care patients were referred to a behavioral health specialist.

Added November 2026

Need: To improve coordination between an emergency department and emergency medical services in rural Iowa.
Intervention: Hansen Family Hospital updated its protocols to integrate Iowa Falls EMS into hospital operations.
Results: Staff satisfaction, communication, response time, and adherence to protocols have improved. In addition, Hansen Family Hospital saves $12,885 a month because of the partnership.

Updated/reviewed October 2026

Need: To ensure the quality and sustainability of rural West Central Missouri's health services through the use of technology.
Intervention: The Health Care Coalition of Lafayette County convened a Health Information Technology (HIT) workgroup to establish electronic medical and prescription records, telemedicine capabilities, and training for Lafayette County and surrounding areas.
Results: The workgroup fully equipped a local emergency department with HIT, launched electronic prescriptions for nearly a dozen Lafayette County providers, and identified acute needs hindering the adoption of electronic health records.

Updated/reviewed September 2026

Need: Indiana's rural communities face significant behavioral health and primary care shortages. Providers require trained frontline workers who can support care navigation, address social drivers of health, and expand access to prevention, intervention, and recovery services.
Intervention: A statewide training and workforce development model that certifies Community Health Workers (CHWs) and dual CHW/PRSS (Peer Recovery Support Specialists) to serve in rural settings.
Results: ASPIN has trained and certified 2,235 Community Health Workers, expanded PRSS training opportunities, and supported rural partners statewide through CHW training and workforce development programs.

Updated/reviewed September 2026

Need: To address the lack of mental healthcare options for rural veterans.
Intervention: A telebehavioral health hub network was created to connect community mental health centers to the VA Medical Center.
Results: More than 3,000 telehealth appointments have been made, saving hundreds of veterans time and money.

Added July 2026

Need: To improve kidney care for patients in rural Indiana.
Intervention: A nurse-led, interdisciplinary kidney care program redesigned clinical workflows to identify patients earlier, provide education, address barriers to treatment, and support informed decision-making.
Results: From 2023 to 2025, 80% to 92% of patients received Kidney Care Options education before initiating kidney replacement therapy.

Updated/reviewed June 2026

Need: To expand healthcare access in rural Alabama communities.
Intervention: The Auburn University Rural Health Initiative is working with communities across Alabama to develop a healthcare model that includes primary care, substance use disorder treatment and mental health treatment via state-of-the-art telehealth technologies, coupled with health and wellness programs and services provided by faculty and students.
Results: To date, there are five telehealth care stations open, located in LaFayette, Boligee, Akron, Catherine, and Gainesville, Alabama. These stations have impacted over 8,207 individuals, with 284 community events, 3,565 patient consultations, and 50 new health ambassadors.

Added May 2026

Need: To make sure patients with chronic conditions are educated about, and able to manage, their medical prescriptions and care.
Intervention: A rural primary care-based program that uses a multidimensional team approach to connect rural patients with clinical pharmacists via telehealth.
Results: More than 250 patients have participated in the program.

Rural Project Examples: Service delivery models