Across Missouri, financial instability and housing insecurity continue to create significant barriers to positive health outcomes. For many individuals and families, limited savings, rising housing costs and unexpected expenses can force difficult trade-offs between paying rent, covering utilities, buying food or seeking medical care. In 2024, 26.9% of Missouri households were classified as cost-burdened given that they spent at least 30% of their total income on rent or mortgage payments and utilities.1
Financial strain that escalates into homelessness can lead to delays in seeking care until a disease or condition requires emergency care, resulting in higher morbidity and mortality.2 To help address these challenges, UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Missouri is investing in Community Partnership of the Ozarks (CPO) to strengthen financial resilience and prevent homelessness for individuals and families across the region. The combined investment supports two complementary initiatives, Making Sense of Money and Shelter Diversion, that work together to stabilize households and expand access to care.
Building financial stability as a foundation for health
Financial stress is a powerful driver of poor health outcomes. Families living paycheck-to-paycheck often lack the flexibility to absorb unexpected expenses, increasing stress and making it harder to afford medications, transportation to appointments or preventive care. CPO’s Making Sense of Money program addresses this challenge by providing accessible financial education for low- and moderate-income households in the Springfield area. Delivered as a four-class series, the program helps participants build skills in budgeting, saving and financial decision-making.
To support engagement and completion, participants may receive incentives such as utility bill credits, bus passes or grocery gift cards. The program also includes a $100 savings goal match for participants who demonstrate consistent saving habits, reinforcing positive financial behaviors. By empowering participants to manage money, pay bills on time and build emergency savings, Making Sense of Money helps reduce financial distress that can otherwise limit access to health care and increase the risk of housing instability.
Preventing homelessness before crisis occurs
While financial education supports long-term stability, some households face immediate housing crises that require rapid intervention. CPO’s Shelter Diversion program provides a brief, front-door approach that helps individuals and families resolve housing emergencies before entering emergency shelter or spending time unhoused. Through structured, client-led problem-solving conversations, Shelter Diversion specialists work with households to identify realistic housing solutions. Support may include mediation with landlords or family members, short-term financial assistance for security deposits or utilities or help with transportation and documentation needed to secure housing.
Reaching individuals and families across southwest Missouri
Together, Making Sense of Money and Shelter Diversion serve adults, families with children, seniors and veterans across Greene, Christian and Webster Counties. CPO’s approach emphasizes choice and collaboration, helping participants build confidence and self-sufficiency while connecting them to referrals for health care, behavioral health services, employment support and other community resources as needed.
“Our partnership with UnitedHealthcare allows us to meet families at critical moments—whether they are working to build financially stability or facing an immediate housing crisis. Together, we are not only addressing urgent needs, but creating pathways to long-term health and stability, and we are grateful for that."
Demonstrating the value of managed care collaborations
UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Missouri’s investment in CPO reflects a managed care approach focused on prevention, access and whole-person health. This collaboration demonstrates how managed care can partner with local organizations to reduce crisis-driven service use, improve stability and support healthier communities. By supporting community-driven solutions that address both immediate needs and long-term wellbeing, the health plan is advancing a more effective, compassionate approach to care that strengthens communities across southwest Missouri.
Learn more about our efforts to improve whole-person health outcomes for Missouri residents by visiting our Missouri profile page.
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