Some managed care organizations have formed relationships with community organizations to improve the health of community members, according to a Commonwealth Fund issue brief.
The brief, "Forging Community Partnerships to Improve Health Care: The Experience of Four Medicaid Managed Care Organizations," examines the drivers and challenges of four MCOs' community partnerships. These MCOs partnered and supported community-based organizations to meet three main goals: improve healthcare coordination, access and delivery; strengthen the community and the local safety-net infrastructure; and promote preventive care and reduce disparities.
The Commonwealth Fund determined internal factors, including the MCOs' history and leadership, were the biggest drivers of MCOs' community partnerships, although external factors, such as state policy, also played a role. Here are six drivers of the MCOs' relationship-building with community organizations, according to the brief:
Internal factors
1. The MCOs' history and leadership emphasize community health and commit resources to that focus.
2. Community engagement helps promote each health plan's brand.
3. The MCOs expect community investments to reduce long-term health costs, improving their bottom line.
External factors
4. A history of MCO collaboration, competition or both, in addition to state flexibility, help drive the plans' community-based efforts.
5. State guidelines encouraging health plans to provide community benefits encourage that focus.
6. State Medicaid contracts and the state's convener role promote community engagement.
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The brief, "Forging Community Partnerships to Improve Health Care: The Experience of Four Medicaid Managed Care Organizations," examines the drivers and challenges of four MCOs' community partnerships. These MCOs partnered and supported community-based organizations to meet three main goals: improve healthcare coordination, access and delivery; strengthen the community and the local safety-net infrastructure; and promote preventive care and reduce disparities.
The Commonwealth Fund determined internal factors, including the MCOs' history and leadership, were the biggest drivers of MCOs' community partnerships, although external factors, such as state policy, also played a role. Here are six drivers of the MCOs' relationship-building with community organizations, according to the brief:
Internal factors
1. The MCOs' history and leadership emphasize community health and commit resources to that focus.
2. Community engagement helps promote each health plan's brand.
3. The MCOs expect community investments to reduce long-term health costs, improving their bottom line.
External factors
4. A history of MCO collaboration, competition or both, in addition to state flexibility, help drive the plans' community-based efforts.
5. State guidelines encouraging health plans to provide community benefits encourage that focus.
6. State Medicaid contracts and the state's convener role promote community engagement.
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