Todos Somos, Somos Uno: We Are All, We Are One!
The District of Columbia observes Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 through October 15 as a time to celebrate our diverse Hispanic and Latino communities, which represent 11.7% of the District’s population. While celebrating the many ways Hispanic/Latino residents strengthen our city, it’s also important to recognize the obstacles they encounter, including barriers to accessing quality physical and mental health care.
English- and Spanish-speaking District residents identified racial/ethnic, linguistic, and cultural barriers; social stigma associated with behavioral health; and limited access to bilingual and culturally competent providers as challenges to obtaining care during community forums and interviews for the District’s 2018 DC Primary Care Needs Assessment and 2017 DC Health Systems Plan. They also ranked language/culture among the top five social determinants of health issues posing barriers to access and engagement in care, along with housing, poverty, transportation, and food access.
October is National Depression/Mental Health Screening Month
Did you know that approximately 1 in 5 adults (19.8%) in the District report having been told by a health professional that they had a depressive disorder (2020 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey)? Moreover, nearly 1 in 4 (23.6%) District adults surveyed in August 23–September 4, 2023 reported having symptoms consistent with an anxiety disorder or depressive disorder (U.S. Census Bureau, Household Pulse Survey 2020-2023).
Learning Library
Master Value-Based Payments: The VBP Virtual Learning Collaborative!
Screenshot from the Forming Community Partnerships to Participate in VBP Arrangements Part 1 webinar held on September 21, 2023.
Integrated Care DC’s Medicaid Business Transformation DC page offers new resources to help you deliver value-based care to improve patient outcomes, thanks to the Value-Based Payment (VBP) Virtual Learning Collaborative conducted on September 21, 2023. The Collaborative’s five sessions, now available on demand, will help you gain insights about legal, contracting, and financial considerations for engaging in value-based collaborations. You can also delve more deeply into the Healthcare Payment Learning and Action Network’s (HCP LAN) alternative payment model framework for categorizing value-based arrangements.
Transitioning to payment models that support value-based care means doing business differently. As District healthcare providers seek more guidance on preparing for this significant change, our presenters shared practical scenarios, assessments, and tools to enhance providers’ understanding and readiness for VBP. If you missed any of the sessions, you can catch up on our Medicaid Business Transformation DC page.
Integrating Screening for Drug Use in General Medical Settings
In recognition of National Depression and Mental Health Screening Month, we encourage you to revisit one of our insightful videos from last year. Dive deep into the importance of universal screening as a cornerstone for detecting individuals who require in-depth mental health assessment. Plus, gain clarity on the distinction between screening and assessment. For a detailed overview, download our comprehensive PDF slides.
Managed Care Workshop:
Panel Presentation with District Health Plans
Join us for another captivating one-hour video captured during the Integrated Care DC Managed Care Readiness Workshop. In this session, attendees interacted with a panel of health plan leaders from Amerigroup, AmeriHealth Caritas, MedStar Family Choice, and Health Services for Children with Special Needs, Inc. The panelists answered audience questions about how health plans can support integrating behavioral health and primary care. Visit our Managed Care Readiness Workshop webpage for more presentations.
Check out these other webinars:
- Monday, October 16 | 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm
How Do I Renew My Medicaid Health Insurance? Virtual Meeting - Wednesday, October 25 | 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
CRISP DC – SUD Consent Tool Training - Wednesday, October 11 | 2:30 pm – 3:30 pm
Medicaid Renewal Community Meetings - Wednesday October 25 | 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
CRISP DC – SUD Consent Tool Training - Wednesday October 25 | 2:30 pm – 3:30 pm
Medicaid Renewal Community Meetings
If you missed any of our live webinars, you can still catch up by watching recordings on-demand in the Learning Library.
Announcements
New Behavioral Health Integration Webpage
The Department of Health Care Finance (DHCF) and Department of Behavioral Health (DBH) recently launched a new webpage, bhintegration.dc.gov, to share updates on the second phase of their multi-year approach to transforming behavioral health care in the District of Columbia. Phase II focuses on integrating the continuum of behavioral health services into the managed care program. As this work progresses, both agencies will post informational bulletins, transmittals, Director Letters, and other updates on the new webpage and on their respective websites. DHCF and DBH will also continue to host monthly stakeholder meetings to share information, solicit feedback, and offer training opportunities.
Medicaid Renewal Training and Outreach
You can help inform Medicaid beneficiaries about renewing their Medicaid coverage and exploring other available health insurance options if they no longer qualify for Medicaid, Alliance, or the Immigrant Children’s Program. DHCF recently updated its Stakeholder Communications Toolkit with new materials and messages. The toolkit also has instructions for using the District’s online benefits portal, District Direct. You can help individuals create an account, update their information, and access call centers where interpreters and in-language staff are on hand to assist. As of April 1, 2023, all Medicaid beneficiaries should renew their health coverage by or before June 30, 2024. Redeterminations of eligibility in the Alliance and Immigrant Children’s Program started in July 2022.
Is Your Practice Ready?
Integrating whole-person care has improved patient outcomes and increased beneficiary and provider satisfaction. Integrated Care DC will help ensure you have the infrastructure, knowledge, and tools to deliver high-value patient care.
Join Integrated Care DC now:
- Request practice coaching for tailored, site-specific support to achieve your integrated care goals.
- Visit our Learning Library to access on-demand videos, podcasts, tools, success stories, and more.
- Subscribe to our newsletter for events, resources, and program updates.
- Register for live webinars to learn and share best practices and earn continuing education credits.
Dive into a Topic
Behavioral Health | Econsult/Telehealth | Screening and/or Assessment | HIE | Care Team Optimization | MAT | COVID-19 | Patient Engagement | Stigma Abatement | Substance/OUD
We now publish on the first Tuesday of the month. Check out our previous newsletters here. If you have content or comments for our monthly newsletter, we want to hear from you. Please send us an email at: [email protected]