The push for health equity revolves around understanding social determinants of health (SDOH). Research indicates these social factors might account for up to half of the differences in health outcomes across counties. To tackle this issue, several federal programs are adopting quality measures aimed at capturing SDOH data, although progress in aligning with these measures is ongoing.
The National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) is leading efforts in this area. They introduced the Social Need Screening and Intervention (SNS-E) HEDIS measure, which focuses on unmet needs like food, housing, and transportation. Recently, they expanded the measure to include two new areas: utility insecurity and social connection.
A recent NCQA study published in Health Affairs Scholar explored the feasibility of collecting data on these new SDOH domains. Researchers interviewed eight health plans and found that while collecting this data is possible, challenges remain. Many health plans face issues with data interoperability, such as disconnected data systems, inconsistent coding, and difficulties with data formatting.
In this episode of Healthcare Strategies, Rachel Harrington and Adrianna Nava from NCQA dive into the study’s insights. They discuss how social needs are currently being screened, the complexities of gathering SDOH data, and the importance of teamwork in establishing data standards.
Rachel noted that measure development is not just a numbers game; it involves understanding the underlying reasons why certain data is gathered or not. They found a lack of standardization in the ways health plans collect information on social needs, leading to varied practices across the board. While NCQA recommends using evidence-based screening tools, some health systems and states have created their own tools, which complicates consistency.
Adrianna highlighted the role of policy in standardizing data collection, emphasizing the importance of building a strong infrastructure that aligns with available data elements.
Their findings showed substantial variability among health plans regarding their ability to map current coding to the required measures, revealing both barriers and opportunities for improvement. However, it was encouraging to see many plans systematically tracking interventions, reflecting progress even amidst challenges.
Ultimately, the health plans involved expressed excitement about participating in this work, suggesting a collective motivation to address social needs effectively. They acknowledged that while considerable progress has been made, documenting these efforts accurately is critical for understanding their impact on health outcomes.
Rachel and Adrianna believe that ensuring seamless data exchange will strengthen these efforts. They stressed the need to engage community organizations that often work with health plans to see how everyone can collaborate more effectively in this space.
Moving forward, NCQA aims to continue refining codes for SDOH screening and interventions and apply insights gained from the study to broader health outcomes. The ultimate goal is to standardize data collection and make it easier to understand how social determinants influence health.
The conversation highlighted the ongoing commitment from health plans to enhance their practices, affirming that positive changes are on the horizon for SDOH data collection and population health.
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