Healthcare Access, Equity and Social Drivers of Health 

Community Screening for Drivers of Health

Across multiple states, Centene health plans have implemented technology platforms to connect members with community benefit organizations. The platforms enable centralized access to community support systems, helping members access resources for improved health and quality of life. These platforms also provide the crucial benefit of real-time information gathering from members about their needs. We can use this data to better understand social drivers of health (SDOHs) in local contexts and develop relevant programs and systems to advance health equity. An example of this is the Mobex Community Kiosks program, which allows us to gather SDOH data while providing convenient access to care. These kiosks, which can be found in provider offices, retail stores, libraries and shelters, enable members to:  

• Request support for food or housing insecurity.
• Access educational resources for maternal health.
• Utilize mental health and language translation services.
• Schedule telehealth appointments.

While accessing this information, members are also asked to complete SDOH assessment questions that are uploaded into Centene’s database. The aggregate data is used to evaluate and explore new solutions to member care.

Healthcare Access

Provider Partnerships

Centene has also implemented value-based models of care to align incentives for healthcare providers with health outcomes for our members. Rather than the standard fee-for-service model that pays providers for each service they provide, value-based models reward providers for quality patient outcomes. Centene piloted this approach with Medicare and has since achieved significant growth in value-based contracts across our portfolio, including in Medicaid and Marketplace products over the last several years. To expand access to the clinical benefits driven by value-based care, we work with a variety of provider entities and third-party facilitators to help aggregate small primary care provider groups and individual care providers. These smaller practices tend to care for members in rural or less mature managed care markets. Additionally, we pursue risk models with primary care providers and specialized vendors to manage certain conditions.

Virtual Care

Virtual care not only expands access to and ensures continuity of care but can also enhance and optimize our members’ healthcare experiences. Through national telehealth partnerships, we aim to deliver high-quality, patient-centered care in the way that works best for our members — easily accessible and when they need it.  

In 2023, Centene partnered with various telehealth vendors to provide over 13 million virtual visits to our members. We continue to expand our virtual care network with a focus on holistic delivery of care. Our network has expanded to include specialty services such as pediatric therapy, dermatology and substance use disorder treatment.  

Improving Care for People with Disabilities

In general, Medicaid and Medicare members with disabilities receive less preventive care than those with no disability, often attributed to physical access difficulties. The Centene Provider Accessibility Initiative (PAI), designed in collaboration with the National Council on Independent Living, strives to provide equal access to quality healthcare and services that are physically and programmatically accessible for our members with disabilities and their companions.  

The PAI also focuses on improving the accuracy and transparency of disability access data in provider directories. The PAI’s Barrier Removal Fund (BRF) offers in-network providers the ability to receive funding for enhancements to their healthcare facilities that will increase access and ease of care for patients with disabilities. Selected applicants are awarded grant money to fund projects that will directly benefit those with disabilities and their companions. Provider grants have funded several projects, including: 

• Accessible exam tables and scales designed specifically for patients with disabilities.
  
• Programmatic accessibility items such as noise-cancelling headphones and weighted blankets. 
  
• Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant structural improvements such as handrails, wheelchair ramps and automatic doors. 

Since 2018, the BRF has contributed over $2.3 million in grants to 248 providers across 16 states.