UnitedHealth Scales Tennessee Health Hubs with $4M to Reach 200,000 Residents by 2027

UnitedHealth Group is pouring fresh resources into a Tennessee-led effort to bring preventive and chronic care services closer to residents, especially in rural areas. A new $4 million commitment will help grow the University of Tennessee Health Sciences’ health hub network from five sites to 13 by the end of 2027, with the goal of reaching about 200,000 people across the state.

What the funding covers?

The support comes through the United Health Foundation, paired with technical help from UnitedHealth Group. It builds on almost $2 million provided since 2022 to launch and test the hub model in Memphis, Shelby County, and two rural counties.

The money and expertise target two priorities:

• Grow and strengthen the hub model: Technical assistance will focus on sustainable financing, better coordination with local providers, and improved data sharing. New grants will extend hubs into rural counties across West, Middle, and East Tennessee as the network scales to 13 locations.

• Build the rural health workforce: UnitedHealth Group will collaborate with UT Health Sciences’ rural health centers to create clearer career paths in underserved areas. This includes training tracks for rural physician assistants, rural nurse practitioners and midwives, and combined health coach and doula certifications.

How the health hubs work?

The hubs are neighborhood-based sites that make it easier for people to get help with common long-term conditions like high blood pressure and diabetes. Services typically include health screenings, one-on-one coaching, group exercise sessions, nutrition classes, and links to primary care and social support.

Since 2022, the program has logged more than 20,000 visits and served over 4,000 participants. More than half of those enrolled saw their blood pressure improve, which can lower the risk of heart attack, stroke, and kidney disease.

Part of a broader community health push?

This Tennessee expansion sits inside UnitedHealth Group’s Communities of Health initiative, which backs local models in rural care, maternal and child health, and prevention. Earlier work under this umbrella included doula care projects in South Carolina and food-as-medicine efforts in Minnesota.

By scaling a model that has already shown results in Memphis and nearby counties, the plan aims to make everyday health support more reachable for Tennesseans who live far from large clinics or hospitals.