Accountable Health Communities Model Implementation Support and Monitoring

Health-related social needs such as stable housing, food security, protection from interpersonal violence, utility maintenance, and transportation availability are key drivers of health care utilization and cost. Yet it is often difficult for health care providers and systems to identify such needs and connect patients with appropriate services. To help bridge this gap between clinical care and community services, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) launched the Accountable Health Communities (AHC) Model in 2017. The AHC Model initiative is an opportunity to apply a standard approach to identify and address health-related social needs among high-risk Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries, with the goal of reducing health care utilization and cost. Mathematica supports CMS and AHC Model grantees by providing a peer-learning system, technical assistance, data management, and performance monitoring.