Gov. Beshear: Kentucky Included in UnitedHealthcare Rural Health Expansion, Supporting Rural Hospitals and Enhancing Care for Families

Nationwide program launched to lower costs and simplify processes for health-care providers

FRANKFORT, Ky. (April 21, 2026) - Today, Gov. Andy Beshear announced that Kentucky is one of five states included in UnitedHealthcare's expansion of its Rural Payment Acceleration Pilot, a program focused on lowering health care costs and increasing access in rural communities. The program helps local hospitals get paid faster, cut down on paperwork and increase care for families.

"Rural health-care facilities are a lifeline for Americans across our country, and the federal government's dangerous Medicaid cuts are causing them to face closure or reduce services, which ultimately puts lives at risk," said Gov. Beshear. "UnitedHealthcare is working to provide real solutions to keep these health-care facilities open and operating so that families in rural communities can continue to access the care they need and deserve. Kentucky is one of the states hit hardest by the federal cuts, and this forward-thinking program will make a difference."

The Kentucky hospitals included in the initial rollout are Harrison Memorial Hospital in Cynthiana, Murray-Calloway County Public Hospital in Murray, Pikeville Medical Center in Pikeville, Taylor Regional Hospital in Campbellsville and T.J. Samson Community Hospital in Glasgow.

"Reducing administrative complexity in health care is critical to improving access and efficiency," said Neil Thornbury, CEO of T.J. Regional Health. "This is a meaningful step forward for patients and providers alike. Simplifying prior authorization allows our clinicians and staff to spend less time on paperwork and more time at the bedside. We appreciate UnitedHealthcare for recognizing the impact of this issue and Gov. Beshear for including our hospital in this effort."

UnitedHealthcare's Rural Payment Acceleration Pilot seeks to strengthen rural hospitals through more reliable and quicker payments, to ensure their doors remain open and able to serve rural communities. The initial pilot, launched in four states in January 2026, helped hospitals receive Medicare Advantage payments faster. On average, payment times decreased from fewer than 30 days to fewer than 15 days.

Yesterday, the company announced it was taking new steps to build on this progress by introducing the following initiatives:

• Speeding payments by up to 50% for approximately 1,500 rural hospitals and all Critical Access Hospitals;
• Exempting rural providers from most medical prior authorization requirements across all lines of business; and
• Launching new hub-and-spoke partnerships designed to deliver essential services directly to patients in their communities.

The original four states included in the pilot were Idaho, Minnesota, Missouri and Oklahoma. Now, nine states are included with the addition of Kentucky, Alabama, Arkansas, Virginia and West Virginia.

UnitedHealthcare is immediately expending accelerated payments to independent rural hospitals in Kentucky following today's announcement.

About UnitedHealthcare
UnitedHealthcare is dedicated to helping people live healthier lives and making the health system work better for everyone by simplifying the health-care experience, meeting consumer health and wellness needs and sustaining trusted relationships with care providers. The company offers the full spectrum of health benefit programs for individuals, employers and Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries, and contracts directly with physicians, care professionals, hospitals and other care facilities. UnitedHealthcare is one of the businesses of UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH), a diversified health care company. For more information, visit UnitedHealthcare at uhc.com or follow UnitedHealthcare on LinkedIn.

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