Addressing social determinants of health through medicaid ACOs: early state efforts

Accountable care organizations (ACOs) have become increasingly prevalent in state Medicaid programs as a way to improve health care quality and control costs. Some states are beginning to use their ACO programs to address social determinants of health (SDOH) — such as living environment and access to healthy food — that ultimately affect health outcomes. Expanding the services covered by Medicaid ACOs may be critical to their success, given that many of the highest‐need, highest‐cost Medicaid patients have complex behavioral and social needs that are often not addressed in the current fragmented health care system.

This webinar, hosted by CHCS and made by possible by The Commonwealth Fund, explored early efforts to address SDOH through Medicaid ACO programs. This includes SDOH approaches that states are considering, including: (1) partnership requirements; (2) social needs screening, referral, and service delivery; (3) financial incentives; and (4) quality metrics. It featured innovations from two state Medicaid ACO programs: Minnesota’s Integrated Health Partnerships and Rhode Island’s Accountable Entities.