Document Type
Article
Publication Date
3-10-2022
Publication Title
PLoS ONE
DOI
10.1371/journal.pone.0264940
Abstract
Background
The significant adverse social and economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has cast broader light on the importance of addressing social determinants of health (SDOH). Medicaid Managed Care Organizations (MMCOs) have increasingly taken on a leadership role in integrating medical and social services for Medicaid members. However, the experiences of MMCOs in addressing member social needs during the pandemic has not yet been examined.
Aim
The purpose of this study was to describe MMCOs’ experiences with addressing the social needs of Medicaid members during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Methods
The study was a qualitative study using data from 28 semi-structured interviews with representatives from 14 MMCOs, including state-specific markets of eight national and regional managed care organizations. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis.
Results
Four themes emerged: the impact of the pandemic, SDOH response efforts, an expanding definition of SDOH, and managed care beyond COVID-19. Specifically, participants discussed the impact of the pandemic on enrollees, communities, and healthcare delivery, and detailed their evolving efforts to address member nonmedical needs during the pandemic. They reported an increased demand for social services coupled with a significant retraction of community social service resources. To address these emerging social service gaps, participants described mounting a prompt and adaptable response that was facilitated by strong existing relationships with community partners.
Conclusion
Among MMCOs, the COVID-19 pandemic has emphasized the importance of addressing member social needs, and the need for broader consideration of what constitutes SDOH from a healthcare delivery standpoint.
Recommended Citation
Opoku, Samuel T., Bettye Apenteng, Linda Kimsey, Angela H. Peden, Charles F. Owens.
2022.
"Covid-19 and Social Determinants of Health: Medicaid Managed Care Organizations’ Experiences With Addressing Member Social Needs."
PLoS ONE, 17 (3).
doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0264940
https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/hpmb-facpubs/261
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Included in
Community Health Commons, Community Health and Preventive Medicine Commons, Health Policy Commons
Comments
Georgia Southern University faculty members, Samuel T. Opoku, Bettye A. Apenteng, Linda Kimsey, Angie Peden, and Charles Owens co-authored Covid-19 and Social Determinants of Health: Medicaid Managed Care Organizations’ Experiences With Addressing Member Social Needs.