What a difference a few years can make. AddressiWhat a difference a few years can make. Addressing social determinants of health (SDOH) and providing services that meet health-related social needs (HRSNs) has moved from the exception to the rule. The extent of the change in thinking is apparent in the new report—HHS Strategic Approach To Addressing Social Determinations Of Health: Agency Program, Activity, And Policy Highlights—outlining the shifts in federal priorities and activities related to SDOH.
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) outlines a three-part strategy in the position paper. The federal initiatives include enhancing data infrastructure; improving connections between health and social service provider organizations; and engaging in whole-of-government collaborations to implement comprehensive solutions.
HHS has a number of initiatives to build the data infrastructure. For example, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is establishing both requirements and incentives to increase screening for HRSNs. And, the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) is creating a roadmap for SDOH data interoperability and the use of SDOH data in managing health systems.
To improve the connections between the health system and social service system, HHS has adopted many new programs. Of import to community-based provider organizations, CMS allows Medicaid payments for HRSNs. These payments can include services and short-term housing for individuals with specific clinical conditions who are transitioning out of places such as congregate settings, homeless shelters, and the child welfare system. States are also paying for nutrition counseling and education, medically tailored meals, and pantry stocking for individuals with certain clinical needs. As of January of this year, CMS has approved related section 1115 demonstrations in eight states.
And HHS is enhancing integration between government agencies at all levels to improve the delivery of health and social services. One important initiative is Administration for Community Living (ACL) initiative to increase Medicaid flexibility to provide housing stabilization. In 2021, HHS and the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) launched the Housing and Services Resource Center and created the Housing and Services Partnership Accelerator. This Accelerator supports state Medicaid programs in the expansion of housing-related supports and services through either a section 1115 demonstration or a 1915(i) state plan benefit waiver.
This increasing confluence of social services and health care is illustrated by some of the new developments of the past quarter. Just a few of the news developments we covered included New Behavioral Health & SDOH ICD-10 Coding Changes Became Effective On October 1, Colorado Submits Section 1115 SUD Demonstration Amendment To Add HRSN Services, and California Medicaid Launches Justice-Involved Reentry Initiative.