Health Equity

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In January 2024, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced a new innovation care delivery model that seeks to bridge the gap between behavioral and physical health. The Innovation in Behavioral Health (IBH) Model aims to improve the quality of care and behavioral and physical health outcomes for adults with moderate to severe mental health conditions and substance use disorders (SUDs). The IBH Model will service beneficiaries who are enrolled in Medicare and Medicaid, including those who are dual eligible.[1] These populations experience higher than average rates of mental health conditions or SUDs, or both, highlighting the importance of a model that integrates behavioral and physical healthcare as well as addressing health-related social needs (HRSN).[2]

Continue Reading CMS Notice of Funding Opportunity for the Innovation in Behavioral Health Model Open Until September 9, 2024

The Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) released a draft of their 2024–2030 Federal Health IT Strategic Plan (Draft Strategic Plan) on March 27, 2024, updating the 2020-2025 Federal Health IT Strategic Plan. In collaboration with 25 other federal organizations, the purpose of this strategic Plan is to create overall improvements in health care by aligning its health IT policies, programs, and investments and to signal priorities to the industry. This Draft Strategic Plan builds on the previous Plan, and includes objectives to address challenges in our healthcare landscape post-COVID as well as recognizing current disparities in health care access and outcomes.

Continue Reading ONC Releases an Updated Draft of Their 2024–2030 Federal Health IT Strategic Plan

On July 10, 2023, the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Innovation (CMMI or “Innovation Center”) released a White Paper, Assessing Equity to Drive Health Care Improvements, outlining their analysis and assessment of health equity incorporation in model designs and evaluations. CMMI supports the development and testing of innovative health care payment and service delivery models. These innovation models are designed to improve quality of care and patient outcomes while reducing or maintaining program costs.[1]

Continue Reading CMS Innovation Center Reports Data Challenges in Assessing Health Equity

Today, CMS released its strategy for the CMS Innovation Center (the “Strategy”) in a White Paper, Innovation Center Strategy Refresh. This Strategy and the connection to broader CMS priorities was outlined by CMS Administrator Brooks-LaSure and CMS Innovation Center Director, Liz Fowler, in a webinar and is intended as a blueprint for the next 10 years.  While the Innovation Center’s overarching goal continues to be expansion of successful models that reduce program costs and improve quality and outcomes for Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries, CMS highlights five strategic objectives: Drive Accountable Care, Advance Health Equity, Support Innovation, Address Affordability, and Partner to Achieve System Transformation and created a new vision: “A health system that achieves equitable outcomes through high-quality, affordable, and person-centered care.”
Continue Reading CMS Innovation Center Announces New Strategic Direction Under the Biden Administration