CMS (@CMSGov) awarded several states an initial $2 million to address disparities in health equity by improving access to quality health care in rural communities.
- Alabama
200,000 Alabamians Could Benefit from Improved Transportation Services to and from Hospitals
These funds will help test whether improving access to telehealth services and access to adequate transportation for those living in rural areas can maintain or improve care quality and lower health care costs. The University of Alabama at Birmingham (@UABNews) seeks to expand telemedicine and community-based services to nearly 200,000 Alabamians with Medicare. In addition, working with the Alabama Rural Transit Assistance Program, UAB will look to offer free or discounted transportation services to and from participating hospitals. - South Dakota
More than 13,460 South Dakotans Could Benefit from Expanded Access to Telemedicine
These funds will help determine whether the South Dakota Department of Social Services (@SouthDakotaDSS) would maintain or improve quality of care and lower health care costs by improving access to specialty health care; increasing the number of services and providers available via telemedicine; and providing access to adequate transportation to appointments. South Dakota’s Department of Social Services seeks to expand telemedicine to more than 13,460 South Dakotans with Medicare including tribal communities. In addition, working with South Dakota Medicaid as the lead organization, the South Dakota Department of Social Services will look to offer education and training on self-management and self-reporting for those with chronic conditions. - Texas
Nearly 60,000 Texans with Chronic Conditions Could Benefit from Decreased Hospital Admissions and Readmissions
These funds will help determine whether the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (@TexasHHSC) would maintain or improve quality of care and lower health care costs by improving care coordination; decreasing unplanned hospital readmissions; improving treatment and prevention of chronic conditions; and increasing access to primary and specialty care. In an effort to better serve the nearly 60,000 Texans with Medicare who have chronic conditions, the Commission seeks to decrease the number of hospital admissions and readmissions for chronic conditions, increase the number of residents able to receive care in the community for certain conditions, and better address the needs of older adults with chronic conditions. - Washington State
Nearly 28,000 People in Washington State Could Benefit from Improved Primary Care Services
These funds will help determine whether the Washington State Healthcare Authority (@WA_Health_Care) would maintain or improve quality of care and lower health care costs by testing evidence-informed community standards; addiction and dependence treatment; patient safety initiatives; and a collaborative care model that adds behavioral health management and psychiatric consultants to support primary care.