Across the country, health plans are facing a growing and urgent challenge: delivering equitable care in a healthcare system where access and outcomes are anything but equal. From rural communities without nearby providers to urban neighborhoods grappling with socioeconomic barriers, disparities in care continue to inhibit patient outcomes.
At the heart of many of these gaps lies a silent crisis in medication management. When patients can’t access the guidance and support they need to understand and take their medications correctly, the ripple effects are felt across the entire care continuum. Missed doses, poor medication adherence, and avoidable hospitalizations–these aren’t just clinical issues, but equity issues.
In response, health plans are looking for smarter, more flexible ways to reach members and address disparities head-on. Pharmacists are uniquely positioned to lead this change, but they need the right tools, infrastructure, and support to operate at scale. That’s where innovative pharmacy solutions step in.
Healthcare disparities continue to present a significant challenge for the U.S. healthcare system. These disparities, such as differences in access, care quality, and outcomes among population groups, often result from factors like geography, socioeconomic status, race, ethnicity, language barriers, disability, and more. Left unaddressed, health disparities can lead to preventable complications, poor medication adherence, and higher overall healthcare costs.
The good news is that many states are recognizing the critical need to address healthcare disparities and are taking meaningful steps to make health equity a strategic priority. Nearly every state has formally committed to advancing equity or reducing disparities, with many establishing dedicated infrastructure to lead these efforts. For instance, most have established offices, task forces, or leadership roles dedicated to driving health equity initiatives across agencies.
In many cases, states are moving beyond foundational efforts to embed equity into the core of healthcare, established from the top down. To promote long-term accountability, several states are codifying these equity-focused practices into formal policies or legislation, ensuring these efforts have a lasting impact.
However, approaches aren’t uniform across the country, and this means that there’s unequal access to care depending on several factors, such as geography, race, and ethnicity. Additionally, differences among insurance providers further contribute to disparities.
Fortunately, trends are indicating an increase in coverage. After the Affordable Care Act (ACA) was implemented and then extended by Congress in 2022, more people are eligible for coverage. In 2024, there were 21.3 million people enrolled in ACA marketplace coverage plans. Yet, there’s still a long way to go as minority groups see lower rates of enrollment in health plans.
State legislation and increased access to coverage are only a few ways in which healthcare disparities are actively being addressed. Health plans can turn to pharmacy solutions as a means to broaden access to care and ensure patients get the targeted treatment they need, no matter where they are or any barriers they may face.
By recognizing the impact of disparities and investing in structural solutions, states are laying the groundwork for more inclusive, data-driven approaches to healthcare. These efforts, when paired with scalable pharmacy solutions and technology-driven platforms like Alliance by Aspen RxHealth, create a powerful opportunity to close gaps in care and improve outcomes across diverse populations.
Closing gaps in care requires a proactive, data-driven approach to medication management, one that meets patients where they are and empowers care teams to deliver meaningful, timely interventions. Alliance by Aspen RxHealth is built to support health plans and provider groups in their pursuit of more equitable, accessible, and effective care. Here are four key ways this pharmacy solution helps bridge healthcare disparities:
Many individuals, particularly those in rural or medically underserved areas, lack consistent access to pharmacists and other healthcare providers. Alliance by Aspen RxHealth expands access to care by equipping in-house teams with the tools they need to deliver pharmacist-led medication management services at scale.
Through telephone consultations, this platform removes common barriers to care such as transportation, geographic distance, and language. Alliance matches members with licensed pharmacists based on factors like language proficiency, geographic region, and clinical expertise, ensuring that every interaction is personalized and culturally aligned. By reaching members where they are, Alliance helps reduce disparities in access and improves medication adherence and health outcomes.
One-size-fits-all care models can leave vulnerable populations behind. Alliance enables personalized, member-centered interventions that reflect each individual’s unique health history, medication regimen, and social determinants of health.
Using guided consultation tools and customizable engagement strategies, in-house teams can deliver targeted support, such as counseling for chronic condition management, education on medication side effects, and coordination with providers–tailored to each member’s specific needs. Personalized care not only increases engagement and trust but also leads to better medication adherence and long-term health outcomes, particularly for populations who have historically been marginalized or underserved.
Alliance empowers internal care teams to identify and prioritize the members who need care most. By harnessing real-time data, health plans can segment populations based on clinical risk, service needs, medication history, and social vulnerability.
This targeted approach enables more efficient allocation of resources and allows care teams to focus on high-risk populations. With actionable insights and performance metrics, Alliance helps teams stay ahead of potential issues and intervene before complications arise.
Workforce shortages and fluctuating demand can make it difficult for health plans to consistently deliver high-quality care. Alliance is designed with flexibility in mind so your team can scale services up or down as needed without compromising care quality.
Health plans can rely on their in-house teams, tap into Aspen RxHealth’s expansive network of clinical pharmacists, or blend both approaches through shared member management. Whether responding to seasonal surges, meeting Star measure goals, or expanding outreach efforts, Alliance ensures that no population is left behind. This flexibility enables health plans to extend their reach, reduce disparities, and deliver high-quality care efficiently and effectively.
Together, these four pillars of Alliance by Aspen RxHealth form a strong foundation for more equitable care delivery. But beyond features and functionality, what truly sets Alliance apart is how it aligns with health plans’ broader strategies to reduce disparities, improve patient outcomes, and meet evolving regulatory expectations.
Health plans are increasingly recognizing that addressing healthcare disparities is not only a moral imperative but also a strategic priority. With growing expectations from CMS, the evolving regulatory landscape, and a heightened focus on health equity, many organizations are reevaluating their approach to care delivery. Alliance by Aspen RxHealth offers health plans a modern, technology-driven solution that aligns with these priorities and helps operationalize their equity strategies.
Built for flexibility, compliance, and collaboration, Alliance gives health plans a platform that’s adaptable to diverse care models, member populations, and internal team structures. Unlike rigid systems that can limit innovation, Alliance allows health plans to design programs that reflect their specific goals, whether those include reducing readmissions, supporting underserved populations, or improving medication adherence in high-need communities.
As regulatory bodies and accreditation organizations place greater emphasis on health equity, health plans and provider groups are being called to take meaningful action. CMS has prioritized closing gaps in care, advancing health equity, and improving outcomes for vulnerable populations through programs like Star Ratings and the Health Equity Index.
Innovative pharmacy solutions, when integrated into a broader care management strategy, can help meet these expectations while also improving member satisfaction and lowering costs. With tools like Alliance by Aspen RxHealth, in-house teams can scale their efforts, streamline operations, and ensure every member, regardless of background, receives the high-quality care they deserve.
It’s clear that health disparities are a complex challenge, but with the right tools and strategies, they’re not insurmountable. By leveraging advanced pharmacy solutions, health plans can proactively address inequities in care, expand access to underserved communities, and improve outcomes across all populations.
Alliance by Aspen RxHealth gives your team the flexibility, control, and support needed to close the gap and advance health equity. To ensure your patients have access to the care they need, reach out to the Aspen RxHealth team to request a demo of our tools for effective medication management.