On August 24, Community Health Worker AmeriCorps Members from Health Brigade visited the East End of Henrico to participate in the Bon Secours Wellness event. The CHWs shared important information with participants regarding health, educational and social issues that impact the community. L to R: Natalie Ramos, HB Social Work & Support Service Manager Jenee Johnson, Andrea Viñas (courtesy of Health Brigade)
Lawmakers recently designated $6.4 million to fund Community Health Workers (CHWs) within the commonwealth’s local health districts over the next two years. It’s a critical investment in Virginia’s health care workforce, and one that all of us should be celebrating — but there’s an opportunity for further action.
You’ve likely heard of CHWs over the last few years. They are making headlines for all the right reasons. For one, these frontline health professionals played an outsized role in reducing vaccine hesitancy and connecting people to resources during the pandemic.
Emely Baez Salazar, Certified Community Health Worker with Health Brigade, sharing information about CHWs’ services at a community health fair for Latino Virginians. (Health Brigade)
CHWs are public health professionals who come from or have an unusually close understanding of the communities they serve. They help patients access important safety net services like food, housing and transportation assistance – all factors that contribute to a person’s wellbeing. In short, they support people so they can comfortably and confidently navigate health care settings by leveraging their personal experiences.
Raeann Ramshaw, a CHW at Ballad Health System in Southwest Virginia, is just one example. Every day is different, but she frequently helps people navigate SNAP paperwork, find rental assistance or access specialty medical programs in her hometown.
Community health centers, nonprofits and local health districts are seeing the value of CHWs and are increasingly integrating them into care teams. Today, there are nearly 1,300 CHWs across Virginia, including approximately 290 certified CHWs who have completed substantial training supervision and education requirements.
CHWs are invaluable assets to the communities they serve. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the federal government recognized their importance and provided funding to support them. Now, it is crucial we ensure sustained long-term funding.
There is a logical solution: to bill CHW services through Virginia’s Medicaid program.
Over the years, the federal government has created several pathways for billing CHW supports through Medicaid. Currently, 15 state Medicaid plans authorize coverage for CHW services, which are designed to improve health outcomes and save program costs. Five states cover CHW services through Medicaid waivers, which allow states to test innovative ideas to improve health.
Collaborating with Gov. Glenn Youngkin and his administration as well as members of the legislature on a comprehensive strategy is essential to secure this funding, which is vital for the viability of the CHW workforce and the health of our communities.
With a focus on improving the health and well-being of Virginians through access to high-quality health care coverage and services, the state’s Medicaid program already covers care from doctors and nurses. Including reimbursements for CHWs, who are often on these care teams, is the missing link.
This is a wise investment because we know CHW interventions work, and we have local data to prove it.
Ballad Health was one of five health care organizations across the country to participate in a Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute project that examined the impact of CHWs. Researchers found patients who were connected to CHWs experienced 29% fewer hospital stays than patients who were not connected to them.
The study mirrors previous research that shows for every dollar invested in CHW programs, Medicaid payers see a $2.47 return on investment within a year, generated through reduced hospitalizations.
While calculating the costs of avoidable hospital visits can be hard to measure, helping patients access care outside of emergency rooms for non-emergency care can save people and our state millions of dollars. One analysis by Virginia Health Information in 2020 showed the total cost of avoidable emergency room visits for symptoms like urinary tract infections, back problems and upper respiratory infections was more than $75 million, compared to $8 million for similar care at a primary care provider.
When it comes to reducing health care costs and improving patient care, CHWs are an important part of the solution. CHWs are making so much progress in the commonwealth because they go above and beyond every day to support people and disrupt health disparities.
In the Mount Rogers health district, Grace Lowe works throughout the community sharing information about free NARCAN trainings, while also helping families connect with Medicaid, WIC and other important programs. You can regularly find her at local events and fairs because she is focused on building a foundation of trust when it comes to accessing health care and safety net resources.
More than four hours away, CHW Emely Baez Salazar visits with Latino community members and encourages them to access health services at Health Brigade. Her outreach is helping connect dozens of new people with comprehensive care at the free clinic.
Virginia’s CHWs know the challenges of their communities and are equipped to work with their local health care system to create solutions. I’m immensely grateful that they’re such a prominent part of our healthcare safety net. CHWs are essential, and it’s just as essential we find sustainable funding solutions to help them continue making progress. The health of Virginians depends on it.
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