MCOs Seek Individual-Level Data to Pinpoint Disparities

Improving access to health care for underserved populations and eliminating health inequities were running themes throughout the AHIP 2021 National Conference on Medicare, Medicaid & Dual Eligibles, which was held virtually from Sept. 21-24. Speakers participating in various health equity-focused sessions discussed the importance of and challenges associated with collecting the right data to target members’ needs, which are often not directly related to health care.

At AmeriHealth Caritas, which operates Medicaid plans in multiple states, health equity has become a strategic priority, a “key business imperative and a market differentiator,” said Director of Health Equity Danielle Brooks. And all types of data — from claims data to demographic data to information on the social determinants of health (SDOH) — collectively “tells a story about what is happening in our populations,” she said during a panel on data and health equity. Such data also can be used to improve and measure the effectiveness of managed care programs and get at the root causes of health inequities, she added.

© 2025 MMIT
Lauren Flynn Kelly

Lauren Flynn Kelly Managing Editor, Radar on Medicare Advantage

Lauren has been covering health business issues since the early 2000s and specializes in in-depth reporting on Medicare Advantage, managed Medicaid and Medicare Part D. She also possesses a deep understanding of the complex world of pharmacy benefit management, having written AIS Health’s Radar on Drug Benefits from 2004 to 2005 and again from 2011 to 2016. In addition to her role as managing editor of Radar on Medicare Advantage, she oversees AIS Health’s publications and manages the health editorial staff. She graduated from Vassar College with a B.A. in English.

Related Posts

unitedhealthcare-headquarters
October 3

UnitedHealthcare, Humana Nab Half of $11.8B in 2024 Quality Bonus Payments

READ MORE
stock-chart
October 3

’25 Stars Info Spooks Humana Investors, Stokes Fears About Industry Decline

READ MORE
elderly-woman-looking-at-ipad
October 3

Minn. Blues Plan’s Value-Based Pact With Herself Health Focuses on Senior Women

READ MORE

GAIN THERAPEUTIC AREA-SPECIFIC INTEL TO DRIVE ACCESS FOR YOUR BRAND

Sign up for publications to get unmatched business intelligence delivered to your inbox.

subscribe today