Cleveland, OH,
06
January
2021
|
09:30 AM
America/New_York

CareSource Partners with MetroHealth Foundation to Address Social Determinants of Health

Dayton - CareSource announced today a partnership with the MetroHealth Foundation and a donation of $600,000 to fund programming within the Institute for H.O.P.E.TM The programming will include innovations such as the School Health Program and Food as Medicine Clinic. The overall goal of this partnership is to provide additional support and benefits to children and families who have emerging or existing chronic health conditions.

The partnership will expand the focus on social determinants of health (SDoH) to specifically screen CareSource members and other community members who are at the highest risk for gaps in SDoH. Once identified, the patients will be connected with longstanding Cleveland community partners for assistance.

“Our partnership with the MetroHealth Foundation is a clear fit for the CareSource mission and enhances our clinical outcomes by creating a holistic model of care,” said Dr. Dale Block, Market Chief Medical Officer in Ohio. “By providing a path to identify possible chronic health risks of early and then working with community partners on solutions, we can stop the cycle of generational health conditions.”

When up to 80% of a person’s health depends on factors that occur outside of the walls of a hospital or medical clinic, social determinants of health is critical for the overall health of members. They include safe housing, adequate food, socialization, employment and transportation. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated these factors. Since committing to screening for social determinants of health through the Institute for H.O.P.E., MetroHealth has screened over 30,000 patients and connected many with social service referrals in Cuyahoga county.

“This contribution from CareSource will result in a healthier Greater Cleveland, including increased immunizations for students we serve, nutritious food for our neighbors and increased emphasis factors that shape our community’s health,” said Susan Fuehrer, President of the Institute for H.O.P.E. “Investing this money on preventive care keeps people healthier and out of the hospital, which is the best outcome for everyone.”

CareSource is a leader in promoting equity in healthcare and breaking down the barriers of SDoH for their members. Amid the pandemic, CareSource has continued its transportation partnership with Lyft, funded wireless internet to increase digital equity and supported food accessibility for seniors.

About CareSource

CareSource is a nonprofit, multi-state health plan recognized as a national leader in managed care. Founded in 1989, CareSource administers one of the nation’s largest Medicaid managed care plans and offered a lifetime of access to care through health insurance, including Medicaid, Health Insurance Marketplace, Medicare Advantage and dual-eligible programs. Headquartered in Dayton, Ohio, CareSource serves nearly 2 million members in Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio and West Virginia. CareSource understands the challenges consumers face navigating the health system and is transforming health care with industry-leading programs that improve the health and well-being of our members.

For more, visit www.caresource.com, follow @caresource on Twitter, or like CareSource on Facebook.

About The MetroHealth System

Founded in 1837, MetroHealth is leading the way to a healthier you and a healthier community through service, teaching, discovery, and teamwork. Cuyahoga County’s public, safety-net hospital system, MetroHealth meets people where they are, providing care through five hospitals, four emergency departments and more than 20 health centers. Each day, our nearly 9,000 employees focus on providing our community with equitable healthcare — through patient-focused research, access to care, and support services — that seeks to eradicate health disparities rooted in systematic barriers. For more information, visit metrohealth.org.