NYAPRS Note: The Center for Health Care Strategies (CHCS) has released a brief that outlines some of the initial lessons learned from a number of states that are testing models, as part of their Medicaid plans, that include supportive services. These services have a positive impact on the social determinants of health, which NYAPRS has long embraced and advocated for as critical components of recovery.
Using Medicaid Resources to Pay for Health-Related Supportive Services: Early Lessons
Although 95 percent of the nation’s health care spending is for medical services, roughly 50 percent of preventable deaths are attributable to non-medical factors such as social circumstances, environmental issues, and individual behaviors. State policymakers increasingly recognize that addressing the social determinants of health is a critical component for both improving outcomes among Medicaid beneficiaries and reducing health care spending. Accordingly, a number of states are testing models that incorporate supportive services into their Medicaid state plans.
This brief, made possible by The Commonwealth Fund, explores innovative state strategies for using Medicaid funds to pay for health-related supportive services. Case studies from four states — Oregon, Vermont, New York and Massachusetts — plus a snapshot of Utah’s model, examine options for providing supportive services within accountable care organizations, health homes, community care teams, accountable communities for health, and other value-based delivery system reforms, as well as implementation challenges. The brief draws from conversations with Medicaid officials, program directors, community providers and other national experts across the country to inform supportive service payment strategies in additional states.