Meeting FQHC patients' nonmedical needs in 2024

Social drivers of health – such as housing instability, food insecurity, and health literacy – have always disproportionately affected patients in disadvantaged or underserved communities. But only in recent years have policymakers and the healthcare industry recognized the importance of investing in solutions for reducing these barriers to care.

There are many new federal and state policies, recommendations and requirements for Medicaid and CHIP programs to follow, such as the new ICD-10-CM “Z codes” and recent guidance around health-related social needs (HRSN), which put emphasis on collecting data from and reimbursing providers who are actively addressing SDOH.

This creates a unique opportunity for FQHCs who are actively working with the highest risk, patient populations. Addressing SDOH factors can help you:

Gain greater clinical insight on nonmedical factors influencing your patients’ ability to manage their care.

If a patient with diabetes doesn’t know how to shop for or cook nutritional food, they aren’t going to eat healthy. Knowing this, you can share educational materials or connect the patient to local organizations providing food literacy courses.

Get reimbursed for the many preventative services you’re providing.

For far too long providers were paid based on the number of services they provided and the number of patients they saw, as opposed to the quality of care they delivered. Value-based care arrangements are changing this. Now, nonmedical services, such as conducting screenings and community-based referrals will contribute to greater financial benefits for community health providers.

Support the sustainability of community-based organizations (CBOs).

While many FQHCs are already connected to organizations in their area, greater emphasis has been placed on community care networks. And for good reason. Payers don’t have the resources to tackle SDOH directly and are therefore relying on local organizations to do this work. When you join these networks and arrangements, you reinforce the value of CBOs and you help break down the disconnect (and distrust) between CBOs and healthcare stakeholders.

“Value-based care unlocks the potential for optionality,” says Loren Anthes, MBA, CSSGB, Head of External Affairs at Yuvo Health.

As you prepare for a new year, consider the ways in which you’ll build capacity, collect data, and contract with payers to not only address SDOH, but get properly paid for the preventative care you’re providing to ensure better population health outcomes in your community.

Not sure where to begin? Yuvo Health can help you get started. Learn more about our offerings here.

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