Bridging the distance: How payers are addressing rural access gaps


Tuesday, May 19th, 2026 | 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM CT 

For many rural populations, accessing care is still defined by distance, limited resources and fragmented coordination.

Transportation has long been recognized as a barrier — but too often, it is treated as an external issue rather than a core component of care delivery. As a result, gaps in access, data quality and coordination continue to impact outcomes and costs.

Some payer organizations are now rethinking that approach.

In this live panel, leaders will explore how transportation, particularly non-emergency medical transportation, can be more effectively integrated into care strategies through benefit design, partnerships and digital infrastructure. 

Join to learn:
 
  • The primary drivers behind today's rural access gaps
  • Operational approaches to integrating transportation into care delivery
  • Risks tied to poor data quality and lack of interoperability
  • Opportunities to improve coordination through digital infrastructure

Presenters: 

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Cristal Gary

Plan President & CEO,
Meridian Health Plan of Illinois

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Marina Owen

Chief Executive Officer
CenCal HEALTH

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Sufian Chowdhury

Co-Founder and CEO, Kinetik

This webinar is designed for leaders of health plans, payviders, managed care organizations, accountable care organizations, and clinically integrated networks.