The COVID-19 pandemic exposed and exacerbated system health equity issues that have long plagued underserved communities. Vulnerable populations have been severely impacted by the pandemic, resulting in higher hospitalization and death rates among African and Hispanic Americans, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Employers, community advocates, and the public health sector are becoming increasingly aware that implementing genuine value-based care (VBC) initiatives – to improve patient outcomes while reducing health care costs – will be difficult without also addressing issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in the health care ecosystem.
Read the full article here: https://www.benefitspro.com/2022/04/06/how-direct-contracting-initiatives-can-power-employer-funded-health-plans/