Using Value-Based Medicaid Supplemental Payment Programs to Promote Health Equity

Health care disparities have become a glaring problem in the Medicaid program given the significant difference in cases and deaths across racial and ethnic populations. Current base Medicaid reimbursement levels are often inadequate to address these population health problems. Obtaining sustainable funding to better address these healthcare challenges has therefore been an obstacle in moving such initiatives forward.

Now, State Medicaid programs and health care entities are increasingly adopting Medicaid value-based payment approaches that use Medicaid supplemental funding to reduce health disparities. Medicaid supplemental payment programs are increasingly designed to improve outcomes and align with specific population health goals. Hospital providers are also looking at novel uses of the Medicaid 1115 Waiver process as a means of financing health equity focused initiatives.

To meet new federal and state health equity goals, many hospitals may need to work closely with an experienced partner who has Medicaid policy knowledge and finance expertise to develop more targeted, value-based goals for reducing health care disparities. Sellers Dorsey has extensive experience working with hospitals across the country to incorporate health equity criteria into Medicaid supplemental payment programs. During this session Scott will summarize these concepts and provide examples of successful Medicaid supplemental payment programs.