The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services released a policy paper and a Request for Information (RFI) to invite feedback on the Healthy Opportunities Pilots — a groundbreaking program that will test and evaluate the impact of integrating evidence-based, non-medical services into the delivery of health care.
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services authorized up to $650 million in state and federal funding for North Carolina to operate the Pilots. The Pilots will operate in two to four geographical areas of the state within the Medicaid managed care program. The Pilots will cover the cost of approved services related to housing, food, transportation and interpersonal safety that directly impact people’s health outcomes and health care costs.
“Our mission is to improve the health and well-being of all North Carolinians while being good stewards of resources,” said DHHS Secretary Mandy K. Cohen, M.D. “These innovative Pilots will help us meet that mission by addressing the conditions in which people live that directly impact health.”
The policy paper describes the preliminary Pilot program design for interested stakeholders, and DHHS is seeking feedback on Pilot design through the RFI. Responses are welcome from all interested stakeholders, particularly those that may seek to directly offer Pilot services to support the development of a transparent and fair fee schedule.
“We need to hear from our community members to ensure the Pilots meet the unique needs of the communities being served,” said Dr. Elizabeth Tilson, State Health Director and Chief Medical Officer for DHHS.
In mid-2019, DHHS intends to release a request for proposals to procure Lead Pilot Entities, which will serve as the connectors between traditional healthcare and social services by developing and overseeing networks of human service organizations. RFI responses will help to inform this procurement.
Responses to the Healthy Opportunities Pilots RFI are due on March 15, 2019 and can be sent to deidra.jones@dhhs.nc.gov. DHHS will host two webinars during the RFI response period for interested stakeholders:
• Wednesday, Feb. 20, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. – Join us for an overview about the Healthy Opportunities Pilots and the RFI.
• Friday, Feb. 22, 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. – Join us for a deep dive presentation on the RFI sections that solicit information from human service organizations about how they deliver services and the costs of doing so.
For more information on the Healthy Opportunities Pilots:
• This fact sheet gives a more detailed explanation of the Healthy Opportunities Pilots
• Sign up for the Healthy Opportunities listserv to receive updates about the Pilots by emailing healthyopportunities@dhhs.nc.gov
• Visit https://www.ncdhhs.gov/about/department-initiatives/healthy-opportunities/healthy-opportunities-pilots
For more information on statewide Healthy Opportunities initiatives, visit https://www.ncdhhs.gov/about/department-initiatives/healthy-opportunities.