Medicaid agencies and managed care organizations (MCOs) are increasingly recognizing the value of addressing beneficiaries’ social determinants of health (SDOH). During this Association for Community Affiliated Plans (ACAP) webinar, the Center for Health Care Strategies (CHCS) presented findings from its nationwide review of Medicaid managed care contracts and § 1115 demonstrations. CHCS outlined how states are using these contracts and demonstrations to require or incentivize SDOH-related activities. CHCS also presented recommendations for federal policymakers to help plans and states design innovative strategies to address Medicaid beneficiaries’ SDOH.

The webinar is based on an ACAP report authored by CHCS, Addressing Social Determinants of Health via Medicaid Managed Care Contracts and § 1115 Demonstrations, that examines Medicaid managed care contracts in 40 states and 25 approved § 1115 demonstrations.

Agenda

I. Welcome and Introduction

Speaker: Jennifer McGuigan Babcock, Vice President for Medicaid Policy and Director of Strategic Operations, ACAP

J. Babcock provided an overview of the project and report, noting ACAP’s priorities for this inventory.

II. Findings and Recommendations

Speakers: Tricia McGinnis, Senior Vice President, CHCS; Diana Crumley, Program Officer, CHCS

T. McGinnis and D. Crumley discussed select findings in the report, providing examples of requirements and incentives in contracts and § 1115 demonstrations in two categories: (1) systems and partnerships; and (2) authority and funding. CHCS provided an overview of requirements and incentives related to care coordination and management, quality assessment and performance improvement, additional services, MCO payment incentives, and value-based payment. CHCS also outlined recommendations for federal policymakers.

III. ACAP Member Reactor

Speaker: Anne Kanyusik Yoakum, Chief Executive Officer, Hennepin Health

A. Kanyusik Yoakum, Chief Executive Officer at Hennepin Health in Minnesota, reflected on the findings and shared how SDOH is being addressed for Hennepin’s population.