Why Your Health Equity Strategy Shouldn’t Depend on CMS Regulatory Changes
April is Minority Health Month, which gives us the perfect opportunity to reflect on health equity.
Multiple regulatory bodies have published health equity guidelines to improve outcomes for populations with social risk factors in recent years, including the CMS Health Equity Index in the Star Rating System. But the idea that these measurements might change or receive less of a focus doesn’t mean that health equity should stop being at the heart of health plans’ Star Rating strategies. Quite the opposite.
Here’s why.
Understanding Members Means Influencing Their Health Outcomes
When we consider each member’s unique background, we unlock deeper insights into their decision-making and health behaviors. People’s lived experiences greatly influence their trust in healthcare, for example, and subsequently, their adherence levels. For instance, members from historically marginalized communities might have justified skepticism towards healthcare systems. Recognizing this helps health plans develop tailored interventions that acknowledge and validate these feelings, which helps them resonate and significantly improve health outcomes.
By acknowledging diverse member experiences and perspectives, health plans can boost member engagement and maximize their overall performance metrics.
Long-term Strategies Over Short-term Adjustments
Regulation and public sentiment are constantly changing. Strategies built around current trends or regulatory demands are inherently unstable and risk becoming inefficient. Instead, health plans should invest in robust infrastructure designed for lasting impact. We recently discussed this concept in an article by MedOrion’s CEO, emphasizing that understanding member behavior and decision-making drivers is an ongoing journey.
Evergreen strategies, such as personalized interventions powered by behavioral science, provide both quick wins and long-term success. They help health plans adapt seamlessly to new regulatory requirements, creating an oasis of stability in an environment of constant change.
Understanding Why CMS Emphasizes Health Equity in the First Place
Multiple quality organizations emphasize the need to address diverse populations since it positively impacts public health outcomes. Ignoring significant segments of your membership can severely harm your Star Rating, while proactively engaging these groups significantly enhances your performance metrics.
The rationale behind CMS’s equity focus is straightforward: improving health equity elevates overall healthcare quality and outcomes.
Choosing Equity-Enabling Technology
To effectively address equity, health plans should use technologies that place personalization and behavioral insights at the center. Advanced solutions, like those offered by MedOrion, utilize built-in personal and behavioral science frameworks, enabling simultaneous attention to all members’ unique needs. Equity-focused features are the building blocks of stronger strategies.
These technologies help health plans deliver nuanced interactions tailored to each individual’s background and behavior patterns, empowering members to make wiser health decisions that increase adherence and improve health outcomes across diverse populations.
Health Decisions Are Not a Passing Trend
CMS’s original emphasis on equity was a powerful signal about the broader importance of this approach. Effective health equity strategies improve public health, enhance member trust, and strengthen your plan’s performance regardless of regulatory shifts. Measurements may shift, but health equity remains an evergreen strategy, crucial for achieving lasting success.