Key considerations for health plans: Partnering with community based organizations to address social determinants of health

People dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid often experience more complex health issues and worse health outcomes than people eligible only for Medicare.These health disparities are often related to factors outside the health care system—including access to nutritious food, transportation, secure housing, social inclusion, and other social determinants. Social determinants of health (SDOH) –the conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work and age–are intricately connected to individuals’ health status. Health care providers, however, typically do not offer services that address SDOH, nor do health care payers generally reimburse for these services.