Addressing Housing-Related Social Needs Through Medicaid: Lessons From North Carolina's Healthy Opportunities Pilots...

Area of Science:

• Health Services Research
• Health Policy
• Social Determinants of Health

Background:

• The Healthy Opportunities Pilots program in North Carolina is a pioneering initiative.
• It aims to assess the impact of community-based services for health-related social needs.
• Housing is a key focus area within this program.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the design and implementation of housing services within the North Carolina Healthy Opportunities Pilots.
• To identify key themes and challenges in addressing housing insecurity through Medicaid.
• To provide actionable insights for other states and federal policymakers.

Main Methods:

• A mixed-methods approach was employed.
• Distribution of severe housing problems was mapped.
• The design and implementation of housing services were examined across three program regions.

Main Results:

• Four major implementation and policy themes emerged: resource/needs variation, service definition/pricing, stakeholder engagement, and financial sustainability.
• These themes highlight critical factors for successful program delivery.
• The study identified specific challenges and facilitators in integrating housing services.

Conclusions:

• Lessons learned from North Carolina's program can inform other state Medicaid initiatives.
• Cross-sectoral collaboration and sustainable funding are crucial for addressing housing-related social needs.
• The findings offer guidance for federal policy development in Medicaid housing services.