Managed care organizations are being asked to prioritize social determinants of health through state Medicaid contracts, according to a Together for Better Medicaid report shared with Becker's.
The analysis of 10 recent state requests for proposals found a heightened emphasis on managed care organizations addressing income, housing, food and other social determinants, as well as health equity, according to a news release shared with Becker's.
The report found that states are requiring managed care organizations to screen members for vulnerabilities to social determinants, encourage referrals to local organizations for social needs, and include social determinants in quality and performance evaluations.
Similarly, the report found that requests for proposals are placing an emphasis on bolstering health equity. Efforts include promoting inclusive marketing and care management, providing diversity training to staff and, in some cases, supporting value-based arrangements, according to the news release.