Headline
Tool shares strategies for states to use Medicaid accountable care organization (ACO) agreements to promote health equity.
Background
Medicaid ACOs can reduce health disparities among enrolled members by coordinating high quality care across various provider groups. State Medicaid agencies can require ACOs to prioritize health equity activities through contracts and other agreements. This resource shares examples of promising practices that states have implemented to address health equity for individuals enrolled in an ACO.
About this Tool
This tool shares strategies that can be implemented in partnership with ACOs to improve health equity for Medicaid members, including related to data collection, quality improvement, provider networks, social needs screening, capacity building, and community engagement. The eight areas specifically highlighted in this resource include:
- Measuring equity
- Paying for equity using value-based payment
- Adjusting for social risk factors
- Increasing member engagement
- Supporting non-traditional providers
- Increasing ACO internal capacity to advance a culture of equity
- Partnering with community-based organizations
- Integrating social determinants of health
The tool also includes state examples and additional resources on engaging ACOs in health equity activities.
Policy/Program Takeaways
State Medicaid agencies can use this resource to identify opportunities to leverage agreements with Medicaid ACOs to reduce health disparities.