COVID-19 amplified existing health disparities and significantly affected the nation’s safety net. In response, UnitedHealthcare launched the FQHC Transformation Investment Program to address decreased cash flow at FQHCs and the need to invest in capacity building efforts as a result of the historic shift in utilization caused by this public health emergency. The program has invested $20 million in over 300 health centers in 22 states, including $624,525 invested in 12 Mississippi FQHCs.
Investment overview
The FQHC Transformation Investment Program is a one-time investment. FQHCs were able to choose to dedicate the funds to one of the following five pathways based on the needs of their patient population:
- Healthy Children
- Healthy Pregnancy
- People Living with Chronic Conditions
- Integrating Behavioral and Physical Health
- Addressing the Pandemic
The FQHCs committed to specific process measures aligned with their selected pathways to demonstrate that they have translated the payment into targeted transformation efforts.
Outcome
With the Transformation Investments, FQHCs have pursued community-based solutions to expand access and improve outcomes. Most Mississippi FQHCs used the investments to focus on addressing the pandemic and living with chronic conditions, the majority of which built their telemedicine & digital engagement capacity to meet those needs.
Pathway
33% Addressing the Pandemic
33% Living with Chronic Conditions
25% Healthy Children
9% Healthy Pregnancy
Capacity building/process measure focus
58% Telemedicine & Digital Engagement
24% Testing Expansion
9% Novel Care Strategies
9% Addressing Social Needs
