Health Affairs Forefront: Lessons Learned Working with ACOs to Address Social Drivers of Health
Health Affairs Forefront has published an article, "Working With Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) To Address Social Determinants Of Health."
In the article, Robert Mechanic, MBA, senior fellow at the Heller School of Social Policy and Management at Brandeis University and executive director of the Institute for Accountable Care and Ashley Fitch, director of community partnerships and innovation at Mount Sinai Health System, discuss four key lessons learned from a group of ACO managers tasked with advancing their organizations’ efforts to integrate medical and social care:
- Collecting Data On Patients’ Social Needs Is Essential But Costly
- Health System Investments Are Needed To Build Effective Partnerships With Community-Based Organizations
- Many CBOs Lack Funding To Meet The Increasing Demand From Health Care Organizations
- More Direct Payment for Social Care Is Needed To Accelerate The Integration Of Health And Social Services
The authors conclude the article with policy ideas and opportunities for moving forward, such as working with states to develop Medicaid waivers that include funding for community-based social services providers and consider options to encourage MA plans to invest in these services.
Read the article.
Explore Health Affair's Forefront publication.
Learn more about JAHF's support of Health Affairs Age-Friendly Health series.
