As CMS moves towards making health equity a key aspect of value-based care, accountable care organizations (ACOs) are being called upon to play a crucial role in addressing the social determinants of health (SDOH) and ensuring equitable care for all patients. However, this is easier said than done, and many organizations need help to effectively address their patients’ SDOH while balancing compliance and financial viability.

A recent survey of physicians revealed that over 61% need more time to effectively address their patients’ SDOH. This is true even for specialists, with a greater percentage reporting not having enough time to address their patients’ social risks. The survey also revealed that physicians want to do more to address their patients’ SDOH, but without the right framework, they will be limited by their resources, namely time and direction on impact.

ACOs are in a unique position to make a difference by adopting a robust framework that looks at the individual patient for immediate impact and results that can be measured within a year or even less. This means that analyses and evaluations must start at the individual patient level, and interventions must be implemented at the micro-level that can have a meaningful impact on patient outcomes. This will most likely include different interventions that address a wider range of social risks.

By doing so, providers can better target patients with the greatest needs and ensure that those patients receive the right interventions depending on their condition and context.

While CMS’s move towards making equity a key aspect of value-based care is a long-term goal, ACOs can make a real difference in addressing the social determinants of health and ensuring equitable care for all patients. By providing a better framework that allows providers to see results within a year, ACOs can help providers do more to address their patients’ SDOH and improve health outcomes while balancing compliance and financial viability.

At Spatially Health, we understand the challenges that ACOs face when it comes to addressing the social determinants of health. That’s why we’ve developed a comprehensive framework that helps providers see results by analyzing patient data at the individual level and implementing interventions that address a wide range of social risks.

If you’re interested in learning more about how our platform can help effectively address social determinants of health, please submit a demo request today. We’re eager to show you how Spatially Health can make a real difference in promoting health equity and improving patient outcomes.