Peter Shin, Ph.D., M.P.H. is an Associate Professor of Health Policy and Management at the George Washington University and Gibson Program in Community Health Policy and RCHN Community Health Foundation Research Director. Dr. Shin focuses on the study of community health systems and integration of care for vulnerable populations and is author of over 100 health policy reports and articles on community health centers, the health are safety net, medically underserved populations, health care financing, and health information technology. His research focuses on identifying innovative payment and health care delivery models, exploring population health initiatives, and assessing impacts of policy change. Dr. Shin teaches courses in analytic methods and public health leadership and is an expert in the management and analysis of data, regulatory and policy analysis, community-based participatory research, and qualitative and quantitative evaluations and has provided technical assistance to federal and state agencies. Dr. Shin received his doctorate in public policy and MPH from the George Washington University
This Data Note examines the extent of community health center involvement in systematic efforts to screen patients for the presence of social determinants of health and concludes that targeted grant support and Medicaid performance investments for the costs associated with social risk screening and reporting are needed for universal engagement by community health centers.
Despite a need for financing reforms that better incentivize addressing patient whole health and wellness, the lack of clear standardization of social determinants of health screening tools, interoperable data collection systems, lack of robust health-related social services expenditure data, and financing uncertainties and insecurities present significant challenges for value-based payment arrangements, according to this analysis.
At this early stage of social determinant of health incorporation, many states are targeting their programming, particularly screening and care management/coordination, towards high-risk populations, such as beneficiaries in substance use disorder treatment or those with significant behavioral health needs, children with complex care needs, beneficiaries living with HIV, and individuals with multiple comorbidities.
The goal of this project is to provide insights into how different contracting approaches play out over different types of plans, health center network providers, and on-the-ground community conditions (i.e., COVID-19 pandemic and recession) and to help states build purchasing arrangements more attuned to the evolving conditions that patients and communities face.