CMS Innovation Model to Screen 7 Million People for Social Health Needs Using AI
The Accountable Health Communities model will screen over 7 million patients using machine learning to identify health-related social needs and inform treatment plans.
CMS Launches Nationwide Screening Initiative
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI) created the Accountable Health Communities (AHC) model to screen patients for Health-Related Social Needs (HRSN) and inform treatment plans by connecting them to community services.
Over the upcoming years, clinical delivery sites will screen more than 7 million people using ten core domain questions under this model.
Machine Learning Powers Predictive Screening
Research shows that Holcomb et al. successfully deployed the Light GBM machine learning algorithm to predict health-related social needs of patients in the CMMI AHC Model. The system integrated patient-level EMR data with publicly available community-level social determinants of health data to enhance screening accuracy.
New Regulatory Requirements on Health Equity
The Joint Commission (TJC) published new guidance and requirements in June 2022 for reducing disparities in health care, with these requirements taking effect in January 2023.
Clinical Classification Updates
According to 2022 HCC coding and documentation standards, there are a total of 86 HCC codes divided into nineteen categories to support accurate patient risk assessment and resource allocation.