Wednesday, July 13 | Thought Leadership, EHR Solutions and Operations, Care Coordination
CalAIM’s next step for California’s whole person care utilizing Care Management and Care Coordination
As Governor Gavin Newsom stated, “[CalAIM] is a once in a generation opportunity to completely transform the Medicaid system in California”. To move towards this transformation means intensive care coordination services will need to be provided at the community level to address not only physical and behavioral health, but psychosocial needs as well. Initiatives that tightly align with the approach of CalAIM include focusing on population health, which involves matching the right patients to the right services at the right time and supporting coordination and access to services provided by counties and community-based organizations. This requires looking at the whole person and having the ability to see everything about an individual in a one-of-a-kind view, including all services they are and should be receiving.
As mentioned in our last blog post on CalAIM, we are reminded that “when talking about one’s health, it is not limited to just physical health. A person’s overall health has to do with mental, emotional, physical and spiritual well-being.”
Some of the focus comes from the call-out of populations with the most complex needs such as the following:
Many California providers are exploring solutions that allow them to apply different risk stratification to the populations.
Because providers are encouraged to look at the whole person, this requires a shift for providers as they move towards looking at what care is being provided to the individual overall, instead of just what their organization is providing. A major goal of CalAIM is to improve outcomes for millions of Californians covered by Medi-Cal, especially those that have complex needs. In many cases this will require even more coordination. This is where Enhanced Care Management can be the leading driver into accomplishing this goal.
A great example includes a new reimbursable, non-traditional services called sobering centers. Sobering centers offer a cost-effective alternative for providing care to intoxicated individuals whose public alcohol use puts themselves or others at risk, avoiding a potential trip to the emergency room or even jail. CalAIM has peaked new interest in this decades-old approach. With proven benefits, not just cost avoidance, individuals avoid potential negative outcomes such as deaths from underlying injuries, illness or suicide.
California has been moving in this direction for many years. In 2016, the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) completed a first round of a whole person care (WPC) application process and approved 18 lead entities to operate WPC pilots. In early 2017, DHCS conducted a second application process to expand current pilots and/or approve additional entities to operate WPC pilots. By 2020 DHCS had completed 25 pilots with a range of comprehensive services and supports to address unmet needs and improve the quality of care and outcomes of high-risk populations. Many of the lessons learned during these pilots are driving CalAIM initiatives such as community-based assessments and disposition planning and the focus on the consumer experience.¹
Netsmart understands the connectedness needed for these initiatives and will advocate for you. We support the development and operation of community-based programs and are here to proactively address and help meet the needs to improve the overall health of the communities you serve. We know you and we’d like for you to get to know us too. Netsmart is California ready!
Sources:
¹ https://www.brightresearchgroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Exec_Summary_Dissemination-Brief-Case-Conference_9.5.19_to_AC3.pdf
Monday, September 18 | Thought Leadership,Human Services,Care Coordination,Cause Connected,Legislative/Policy,Value-based Care
The opioid crisis is one of the most serious healthcare issues in our nation today. But there is hope. We believe there are three strategies your organization can leverage to combat opioid addiction and overdose: integrated care, policy and technology. This blog outlines some examples of all three and lists helpful resources your organization can use.
MoreThursday, September 14 | Thought Leadership,Human Services,Netsmart in the Community
By understanding mental health and suicide go hand-in-hand we can take the first step in reducing suicide risk and help heal our families, friends and loved-ones heal and grow forward as a community.
MoreTuesday, August 29 | Thought Leadership,Human Services,Partnerships and Collaboration
If the past few years has taught us anything, it is that consumers of healthcare want to access care their way. We live in a digital world which is impacting how we deliver care. Netsmart is committed to meeting the new and varied needs of providers by developing solutions that meet them where they are. The same is true for consumers. Having had a taste of virtual services, many consumers will want to continue virtual care and prefer much broader digital experiences. At Netsmart, we call this focus on the user experience "extreme usability."
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