News – MHN ACO

MHN ACO in the News

October 5, 2021 | News Release

Chicago Housing Initiative Receives Support from Medical Home Network Accountable Care Organization

People without stable housing often turn to hospital emergency departments when they feel they have nowhere else to go for medical care. That’s one reason why Medical Home Network Accountable Care Organization (MHN ACO) is investing in a “housing first” program to care for patients without stable housing who are at high risk for poor health outcomes.

The program is funded by the MHN ACO, a wholly provider-owned entity comprised of 13 Federally Qualified Health Centers and three hospital systems. Through its partnership with CountyCare—a Medicaid plan for Cook County residents—the MHN ACO reinvests a portion of the shared savings it earns back into the community through initiatives like the Flexible Housing Program. CountyCare is also investing its own dollars in the housing program.

“The MHN ACO reinvests our savings to provide essential services – or services not covered under insurance but vital to health,” said Cheryl Lulias, president and CEO of MHN ACO and president and CEO of Medical Home Network. “We are proud to invest in stable housing as it is a significant determinant of health.”

The 3-year pilot program launched in September underwrites rent subsidies to help a select number of Cook County’s safety-net population settle into apartments. Community care coordinators connect patients with primary and specialty care, employment assistance and social services. One-on-one follow-up will keep residents engaged in their care plans.

“It’s challenging to improve the health of patients when their most basic need–housing–has not been met,” said Leana Lopez, director of behavioral health and community programs at MHN. “When patients have consistent shelter, washing facilities, storage for medicines and a care team dedicated to their well-being, the physical and mental healing can begin.”

Housing Intervention Halts Healthcare Cost Spiral

The Flexible Housing Pool program was developed by the Center for Housing and Health in collaboration with Cook County Health, the City of Chicago and support from foundations and healthcare and social service providers.

After treatment, patients typically return to the streets only to cycle back to the emergency department when their conditions worsen. A local pilot study at the University of Illinois at Chicago found that 48 percent of the people who frequently used the emergency department for care were homeless. UIC also found that one hospital admission costs about five times as much as 30 days of supportive housing. To help reduce costs and support whole person care, the program has medical, emotional and financial benefits.

“One of our most complex patients at Lawndale recently received housing this past year in a similar program,” said Adam Claus, complex care manager at Lawndale Christian Health Center; one of MHN ACO’s member organizations. “The previous year he had 20 psych admissions and struggled with any stability as he had no place to feel safe and secure. Since he’s received housing, he has had no admissions.”

The pilot period will gather more evidence to connect stable housing and stable health conditions. “Claims data will show whether heart failure or hypertension are being managed, A1c levels for diabetes are under control and patients are engaging with behavioral health services—after people receive stable housing,” said Lopez.

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About Medical Home Network Accountable Care Organization
Medical Home Network Accountable Care Organization (MHN ACO) is a provider-owned and driven approach to patient-centered healthcare delivery and population health management for Medicaid patients. Our members include 13 Federally Qualified Health Centers, three Hospital Systems, and their Physician Practices. Within our ACO we strive to create a different kind of culture – one that includes shared decision-making and is focused on change, innovation, collaboration and delivery improvement for all our member/owners. For more information, visit www.mhnaco.org.

July 14, 2020 | News Release from ACO Member

Employees at La Rabida Children’s Hospital Collect More Than 100,000 Diapers for Families Across Chicago

Today, the staff at La Rabida Children’s Hospital handed off the first truckload of diapers to be distributed to families in need across Chicago. Employees at the hospital donated diapers and cash to purchase more than 100,000 diapers during a Diaper Drive event in June. The diapers are being given to the True to Life Foundation, which operates a weekly Diaper Bank at 1712 E. 87^th street in Chicago. Families in need can pick up the diapers at True to Life every Wednesday from 11am-1pm.

MHN risk stratification method predicts cost of care and hospital utilization

Cheryl Lulias presents case study highlighting success of MHN ACO at health summit

ATLANTA— Medical Home Network’s dynamic and predictive risk stratification methodology using medical, social and behavioral determinants of health, was highlighted January 25th in a presentation by Cheryl Lulias, President and Executive Director of the Medical Home Network (MHN) and CEO of the MHN Accountable Care Organization (ACO), at the 4th Annual ACO Population Health Management Summit in Atlanta.

Lulias presented a case study titled “Identify and Manage the Rising-Risk Population to Improve Health Outcomes,” describing how MHN’s risk stratification approach is proven to be predictive of subsequent total cost of care and hospital utilization. She emphasized the innovative methodology is crucial to MHN’s care management process and enables the creation of customized care plans which in turn results in the improvement of patient outcomes and reduction in the cost of care.

“Our solution proactively assesses patient risk and stratifies the patients most in need of care by using addressable medical, behavioral, and social barriers that can impede a patient’s treatment plan and, if unidentified, may increase their risk over time,” said Lulias, who made her presentation to industry professionals at the Renaissance Atlanta Waverly Hotel & Convention Center. “Using this tool, care coordinators can continuously reassess risk, and make auto-risk adjustments based on patient performance to prioritize outreach and engagement.”

With more than 20 years of experience working with complex health care systems and health plans, Lulias is driving healthcare delivery redesign and practice innovation for safety net populations. She leads the MHN ACO, the first Medicaid ACO in Illinois, which is owned and governed by leaders from 12 health care organizations, representing nine federally qualified health centers and three hospital systems.

Lulias joined the speaking faculty of the Care Coordinator and Technology Congress to help summit attendees gain valuable strategies for improving care coordination and patient outcomes through the use of technology, predictive modeling, and population health strategies.

The ACO Population Health Management Summit brings together thought leaders from ACOs around the country to leverage available data and resources to create valuable population health initiatives to lower costs, improve quality of care, and prepare organizations to take on more downside risk and increase shared savings.

About Medical Home Network

Medical Home Network is transforming health care delivery for Medicaid patients by fostering collaboration and innovation. Our proven model of care unites communities of providers and patients around a common goal: To redesign health care delivery and transform the way care is delivered and managed, resulting in improved patient care, lower costs and better health in the communities we serve.