ITuC3 - Leveraging Alternative Care Delivery Models, Data, and Technology to Maintain Access to Care

COVID-19 changed how health centers approach providing access to primary and specialty care for communities disproportionately affected by COVID-19. This session will highlight two examples of health centers that leveraged alternative delivery models for providing high-quality services to their patients in communities.   The first example will feature CCI Health and Wellness Services, which transitioned its group-based prenatal care program – which had a successful track record improving birth outcomes – to virtual group-based care within two weeks. CCI’s Centering Program combines standard health assessments, interactive learning in a group setting of 10-12 women, and community building to help foster positive health outcomes and behaviors amongst its prenatal population.   The second example will highlight a virtual diabetes education program and efforts to address social determinants of health. Community Care Network of Kansas and Health Ministries Clinic (HMC) participated in a demonstration project that focused on the social determinants of health (SDOH) in a targeted Medicaid population of Hispanic patients with diabetes. HMC staff used PRAPARE to collect actionable data and Azara DRVS to identify care gaps and report average assessment score, specific social risk factors, and clinical diabetes measures. To maintain positive outcomes during the COVID-19 pandemic, HMC began offering telehealth services, which allowed a diabetes educator and care management staff to use audio only and audio/video telehealth along with in-person visits to stay connected to their patients.