Most people don't think of healthcare as a single experience. Over the course of a year, they may visit a primary care physician, fill a prescription, see a specialist, receive behavioral health support or schedule a routine dental appointment. While those interactions often happen in different settings, they are all part of the same health journey.

But too often, the healthcare system is not designed to reflect that reality. Care is frequently delivered one appointment at a time, leaving patients to navigate next steps, connect information between providers and make complex healthcare decisions on their own.

When care feels disconnected, it becomes more difficult to identify health risks early, help people access recommended care, and address manageable health concerns before they become more serious and costly. That's why a more coordinated, whole-health approach is becoming increasingly important.

That opportunity is especially important in Kentucky, where we face a range of health and socioeconomic challenges. In 2024, 17.2% of Kentucky adults reported smoking, compared with 11.6% nationally, while 15.6% of Kentuckians live in poverty. Substance use also continues to take a toll: 1,110 Kentuckians died from a drug overdose in 2025, with fentanyl present in 45.4% of those deaths, even as the state recorded its fourth consecutive year of declining overdose deaths.

These challenges underscore the importance of making it easier for people to access preventive care, behavioral health support and other services as part of a more connected healthcare experience. By helping people receive the right care at the right time, a more coordinated approach can improve health outcomes while helping address rising healthcare costs.

Why a whole-health approach matters

Whole health recognizes that every healthcare touchpoint can contribute to a person's overall well-being.

Rather than treating medical, behavioral, pharmacy and dental care as separate experiences, a whole-health approach brings those touchpoints together to create a more complete picture of a person's health. That can help people:

• Identify health concerns earlier.
• Access recommended care and preventive services.
• Better manage chronic conditions.
• Avoid unnecessary delays or duplicated care.
• Receive support that's easier to navigate.

Dental care offers one practical example of how a more connected approach can work.

People living with diabetes are at greater risk for gum disease, and untreated oral health conditions can make diabetes more difficult to manage, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. When dental care is viewed as part of a person's overall health journey, providers have another opportunity to reinforce preventive care, encourage appropriate follow-up and help patients better manage their overall health.

The broader lesson extends well beyond dental care. Every healthcare interaction, from a routine physical to a behavioral health visit or conversation with a pharmacist, can provide valuable opportunities to identify needs early and connect people with the care and support they need.

A more connected approach can also help lower the cost of care

When care is coordinated, opportunities to intervene early are less likely to be missed.

For example, someone who receives recommended preventive screenings or timely follow-up for a chronic condition may be able to avoid more serious health issues that could otherwise result in a costly emergency department visit, hospitalization or more intensive treatment later.

Care coordination can also help reduce unnecessary duplication across the healthcare system by improving communication among providers and helping patients receive the right care at the right time.

Helping people stay healthier through prevention, early intervention and coordinated care benefits individuals, employers and communities alike while lowering costs over time.

Making every healthcare touchpoint count

A whole-health approach isn't about adding more appointments to your calendar. It's about making the healthcare interactions you already have more connected, coordinated and meaningful.

Through Anthem Whole Health, care is designed around the individual, with care navigation and coordination that helps connect healthcare touchpoints across medical, behavioral, pharmacy and dental care. When those touchpoints work together, they can support prevention, improve health outcomes and help people take the next step in their healthcare journey before small concerns become larger health challenges.

To learn more, visit anthem.com/healthcareinkentucky.