HHS Announces New Pilot Program To Address Medicare, Medicaid Beneficiaries’ Nonmedical Needs

HHS on Tuesday unveiled a five-year grant program intended to test whether addressing Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries' nonmedical needs can help to improve such individuals' health outcomes and curb health care spending. The pilot program, called the Accountable Health Communities Model, will provide $157 million in funding under the Affordable Care Act to "bridge organizations" that will work with Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries to identify the individuals' social needs and connect them with appropriate services.

• "Medicare To Test if Seamless Social Work Can Improve Health" (Alonso-Zaldivar, AP/Sacramento Bee, 1/5).
• "HHS Launches Test Program for Non-Health Needs" (Sullivan, The Hill, 1/5).