Models for Integrating Behavioral Health into Managed Care

The Center for Health Care Strategies has issued a brief on integrating behavioral health services into Medicaid managed care. The brief highlights the efforts of programs in five states – Arizona, Florida, Kansas, New York and Texas – to integrate behavioral health services. It explores three emerging models, including a comprehensive managed care carve-in, specialty plans and hybrid models.

Health Care Payment Learning and Action Network Summit

Last week, the Health Care Payment Learning and Action Network hosted its 2016 Spring Summit.  Center for Consumer Engagement in Health Innovation Director Dr. Ann Hwang presented at a panel on stakeholder perspectives on population-based payment models. Community Catalyst Deputy Director Susan Sherry presented on engaging consumers in payment and delivery system reform. Joining her on that panel were Antoinette Kraus of the the Pennsylvania Health Access Network and Liz Doyle of TakeAction Minnesota, both Community Catalyst partner organizations. Summit materials can be found here.

New Program to Target Social and Economic Determinants of Health

A recent article in NEJM Catalyst highlights the efforts that Kaiser Permanente, the nation’s largest integrated health delivery organization, is making to target the unmet social needs of its highest-need patients. The program proactively reaches out to patients identified as being at high risk for becoming so-called “super utilizers.”  Patients who indicate that they have at least one unmet social need are then connected with existing resources in the community, such as food banks, tenants’ rights organizations or housing organizations. Enrolled members are then called regularly to check on their progress