$5.1M Grant Addresses Social Determinants of Health in Seniors

SCAN Health Plan, a California-based Medicare Advantage group, is committing $5.1 million in funding to help seniors mitigate some of the social determinants of health felt during the coronavirus pandemic, the group announced on April 15.

The funding will also go to SCAN Health Plan employees who may be facing financial hardship during the pandemic.

The spread of the novel coronavirus has shed a light on the social determinants of health nationwide. Patients who are experience job loss, are low-income, are older, or live in urban areas may be more likely to contract the disease than other patients.

Patients experiencing certain social risk factors may also see the social determinants of health exacerbated as a result of certain preventive measures, like social distancing. Older individuals, for example, may face challenges in accessing nutritious meals or feel worsened symptoms of social isolation.

This latest funding announcement from SCAN Health Plan aims to address those issues.

"Recognizing SCAN is in a position to offer emergency funding, we immediately knew it was our duty to support those facing uncertainty and disruption to their lives," stated Chris Wing, CEO of SCAN Health Plan. "With 40-plus years working alongside community organizations, we know how to most effectively direct these funds. We are pleased to be able to provide this additional direct support for seniors, while also assisting those we rely on to serve them."

Part of the emergency funding will go to giving senior members access to key resources, like grocery delivery. The SCAN Health Plan funding will also benefit community organizations focusing on older adult patients. This is in addition to the $350,000 that SCAN has already awarded to such groups to benefit senior members during the COVID-19 pandemic

Finally, the SCAN Health Plan funding will benefit its own employees who may be impacted by circumstances resulting from the coronavirus outbreak.

SCAN Health Plan is also working to help member finances by covering out-of-pocket costs for some COVID-19 care. The Medicare Advantage plan has waived co-pays for primary care and urgent care visits related to coronavirus symptoms, even those carried out over telehealth.

This builds on previous low-cost care principles held by the payer, according to Wing.

"Many SCAN plans already include $0 copays for urgent, primary care and telehealth visits. We are temporarily extending that benefit to all plans so no SCAN member incurs a cost for these services," Wing noted.

As noted above, older adults are disproportionately impacted by the coronavirus spread. These individuals are at high-risk for the disease, experiencing worse symptoms and outcomes than their younger counterparts.

They also experience a number of social determinants of health that can exacerbate other health problems during the virus outbreak.

"While no one is untouched by the implications of coronavirus, older adults are not only highly susceptible to the virus, but also may face unique barriers to physical and mental wellbeing while sheltering in place," added Wing. "With social isolation, food insecurity and limited access to transportation among the social determinants of health most likely to impact seniors, our aim with this funding is to help ease these and related challenges caused by this pandemic."

SCAN Health Plan comes in a long line of healthcare payers working to address social determinants of health during the coronavirus outbreak.

In March, Tufts Health Plan and Humana both committed funding to help enable access to health and nutritious meals. The $1 million grant from Tufts Health Plan also covered services to provide stable housing, at-home support, medical supplies, and transportation access for members.

The Humana funding set to cover expansion of key care facilities that could treat members during this tenuous time.

“The coronavirus outbreak is creating unprecedented health and economic challenges for people across the country,” said Bruce D. Broussard, Chairman of the Board of The Humana Foundation. “Our goal with this relief aid is to support those who are particularly vulnerable by providing access to nutritious food, utility assistance and COVID-19 screenings, ultimately bolstering recovery efforts.”