This article focuses on resources for both doctors and chronic pain patients living in the vast parts of the United States that have shortages of pain care resources. According to research, roughly ⅓ of Americans lack adequate access to some form of basic healthcare—primary care physicians, hospitals, pharmacies in reasonable driving distance and more. 

If you suffer from chronic pain, specialized pain management is even harder to find as are the many therapies recommended for comprehensive pain management—chiropractic, physical therapy, acupuncture and mental health support. 

Whether you’re a doctor struggling to support your patients or someone who suffers from chronic pain, here are some resources available to you no matter where you are.

Telehealth / Virtual Care Resources

1. U.S. Pain Foundation- Their Resources section includes booklets & guides on living with chronic pain, as well as educational videos like The Importance of Addressing Mental Health in Pain Management. 

2. UPMC- Their Chronic Pain Telemedicine Services page shows how telehealth can reduce barriers (e.g., transportation) for chronic-pain patients.

3. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)- Their guide Telehealth for the Treatment of Serious Mental Illness and Substance Use Disorders highlights how telehealth applies to mental-health and overlapping conditions. 

Peer Support / Group Resources

1. Pain Connection (via U.S. Pain Foundation)- They offer national chronic pain peer-support groups, held weekly via Zoom, with trained peer-facilitators who also live with pain. 

2. American Chronic Pain Association (ACPA)- Long-standing organization offering peer support, education and hope for people living with chronic pain. 

Good for: Reliable, legacy support group model.

3. The Center for Chronic Illness- Offers free virtual support groups (facilitated by licensed mental-health pros) for people impacted by chronic illness/rare disease (which often includes chronic pain). 

4. General article- The Mayo Clinic Support Groups page outlines benefits like “feeling less lonely…learning more about your disease…improving coping skills.” 

Educational / Self-Management Resource Websites

1. Chronic-pain & mental-health overlap- These organizations list mental-health & coping resources (e.g., Mental Health America—Chronic Pain & Mental Health; American Psychological Association—Coping with Chronic Pain) in one place. 

2. Mental Health America- Although not just for chronic pain, offers resources on emotional wellness for people living with chronic conditions (including chronic pain). (Referenced above)

3. Telehealth + hybrid care research/policy- The National Academy of Medicine (NAM) Perspectives discussion paper, Integrating Telehealth and Traditional Care in Chronic Pain & SUD explores hybrid models. 

4. Self-management and education programs- e.g., The PA government site on Support Groups and Self-Management Education for pain lists that self-management education programs reduce symptoms, improve quality of life, and help with fatigue, isolation, poor sleep. 

Medicare, Medicaid & Many Insurers Cover Telehealth in Rural and Remote Areas

Since 2020, Medicare and Medicaid expanded access:

Medicare

• Covers telehealth in all locations (not just rural)

• Covers mental health via video or audio-only

• Covers physical therapy and occupational therapy telehealth

• Covers pain-management visits

Note: After January 31, 2026, you must live in a rural area or use a rural healthcare provider to quality for all telehealth benefits. You coverage may be extended if you have a Medicare Advantage that offers enhanced coverage. 

To determine if you are in a rural area qualifying for Medicare telehealth services, go here and enter your address. The tool will tell you in a few seconds if you’re eligible for coverage. Click here for the Health Services and Resource Division of the US Department of Health.

Medicaid (varies by state)

• 49 states reimburse some form of tele-mental-health

• Most cover chronic-pain telehealth care

To find out if your state Medicaid program provides reimbursement for services, go to your state’s Medicaid web site or call the state Medicaid hotline. They can provide the most current information on what’s covered and where to go for services.

Commercial insurance

• Nearly all major insurers cover telehealth nationally

• Many waive distance requirements

Telehealth is fully accessible in rural, remote, and underserved regions—even for patients with limited mobility or few local providers. Nearly all chronic-pain and mental-health telehealth services operate nationwide, and audio-only options are legally covered for mental-health visits, making care available even to people with poor or no internet. For those living far from specialists, telehealth is often the only reliable pathway to pain management, counseling, support groups, and self-management programs.

Learn More:

Over 80% of the Country Still Lacks Adequate Access to Healthcare 

Medicare Telehealth Benefits  

Rural Healthcare Benefits

Veteran’s Administration Telehealth Pain Management Program