By EWA MATUSZEWSKI
I wrote last month about my admiration for The Salvation Army’s outreach efforts to combat the social determinants of health through its services to the hungry, the homeless, and those with substance use disorder or other difficult life challenges. This month, I want to extend my admiration to the payors and partners who joined The Salvation Army and MedNetOne in a new program aimed at ramping up numbers for Medicaid Renewal.
Some background. As the federal government seeks to redetermine who is qualified for Medicaid following a pandemic-related executive order that extended Medicaid benefits without proof of continuing qualification, each state is required to champion redetermination and renewal efforts. The redetermination period runs through July 24, 2024, and those of us involved are racing to meet the deadline through a host of innovative programs that directly reach impacted residents.
To ensure that our state’s most vulnerable residents have access to Medicaid, we can’t expect them to come to us. The renewal process can be overwhelming to some – and for those without computer or smartphone access, it’s nearly impossible without hands-on assistance.
Enter Michigan’s healthcare community. At an October 24 gathering at The Salvation Amry Harbor Light’s facility on Rosa Parks Boulevard in Detroit, health insurers, providers and engaged civic partners united in the Medicaid renewal effort to pilot a renewal program held that week that was tied to the Bed and Bread trucks – a signature outreach effort of The Salvation Army that feeds Detroit’s hungry five days a week. The following agencies and payors participated by providing financial support, healthcare navigators or technology: Michigan Department of Health & Human Services (MDHHS), Henry Ford Health, HAP, Authority Health, Molina Health Care, Priority Health, Western Wayne Family Health Center, Meridian and the City of Detroit.
There were a variety of team members present, including CEOs, physicians, directors and program leaders. What really struck me was the collective sense of community in the room. In this shared mission, there were no competitors or egos. These were organization representatives committed to a cause – and it was not only heartwarming but energizing to be among this dedicated group.
According to the Executive Director of the Great Lakes Harbor Light System of The Salvation Army, Jamie Winkler, the week’s efforts reached an estimated 1,500 potential Medicaid recipients. Because there are staggered sign-up dates, that doesn’t mean that 1,500 had coverage renewed, but that’s 1,500 people who now know about the Medicaid Renewal initiative. (Note: those no longer eligible for Medicaid are directed by community health workers to the healthcare exchange or state programs for which they may be qualified.)
The Medicaid Renewal operation can’t be successful if the many leave it to the few to take action. The Salvation Army’s pilot program through the Bed and Bread trucks is just one example of what can be done when we harness our collective knowledge and resources. MedNetOne is committed to assisting the state in this herculean task. But we absolutely cannot do it alone. The Salvation Army initiative is important – but it’s just one program. We need payors, civic groups, health clinics, municipalities, nonprofit organizations and others to join the effort. Our organization’s planned next steps for outreach include libraries, community centers, and consulates. As we did with pop-up vaccination clinics throughout the pandemic, we welcome ideas, partners, sponsors and collaborators to keep the momentum going.
MedNetOne strongly believes that community health partnerships are the foundation of the Patient-Centered Medical Home Neighborhood. It’s not just about focusing on the cost of care or running trend reports. It’s about the human side of caring. Will you be our neighbor and join us in our boots on the ground approach to Medicaid renewal? I’d love to hear from you. [email protected].