How Payers Invest in Coronavirus Social Determinants of Health

Payers have not forgotten about the social determinants of health that can be exacerbated by a pandemic and have continued to commit investments to these causes.

This comes in addition to actions such as reducing cost-sharing to zero on certain testing-related products and services and offering telehealth benefits at no cost.

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Tufts Health Plan Foundation is addressing social determinants of health in elderly communities with its donation of $1 million. The funds will cover a variety of services including:

• Food
• At-home support
• Housing
• Transportation
• Medical supplies

The funds will be allocated to communities across Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Hampshire and Connecticut in collaboration with local government and other stakeholders.

In addition to their direct funding, Tufts Health Plan Foundation is financially supporting relief efforts in two other ways.

First, the health plan is giving more flexibility to their grant recipients, with the goal of supporting any new efforts related to coronavirus.

Second, Tufts Health Plan employees who donate toward coronavirus relief will see their donation tripled by Tufts Health Plan, who will double-match their gifts.

While some payers like Tufts Health Plan invest more broadly, others target specific social determinants.

The Humana Foundation, for example, put $500,000 toward coronavirus recovery and social determinants of health as of March 17, 2020.

“Individuals who were already struggling with food insecurity and financial need are particularly exposed right now as businesses reduce shifts or close altogether in response to quarantine and social distancing efforts,” said Walter D. Woods, chief executive officer of The Humana Foundation. “Lost wages translate to an increased reliance on food banks which is why our support of Feeding America is so critical.”

The money will go toward three organizations, with a particular focus on enabling food access. Ninety percent of the funds will be used to support Feeding America in its efforts against food insecurity during the coronavirus pandemic.

The Humana Foundation’s investment puts $325,000 toward Feeding America communities as well as Humana’s Bold Goal communities.

Another $125,000 will provide financial assistance such as SNAP application outreach so that seniors know they are eligible for SNAP benefits.

“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.”

The remaining $50,000 will expand an acute care center in Louisville, Kentucky, where Humana has partnered with the Community Foundation of Louisville and Norton Healthcare Foundation. The funds will also enhance telemedicine benefits and create coronavirus testing sites.

The widespread economic stability challenges and food insecurity for older Americans goes largely unnoticed, according to the Brookings Institute, a left-leaning think-tank. 

Yet national indifference or oblivion belies the severity of this reality for the elderly population. More than 14 percent of adults 65 years and older live below 100 percent of the federal poverty line, the Brookings Institute found. Forty-two percent live under 200 percent of the federal poverty line on an income of around $23,500 annually. A little over eight percent of households with a senior are food insecure.

While many payers are cognizant of seniors' demand for higher quantity and quality nourishment, the nation is only starting to become aware of food instability’s implications for coronavirus patient outcomes.

Lack of food leads to health complications and higher risk, the Brookings Institute reminded. Chronic disease management becomes a greater challenge with diseases such as diabetes or cardiovascular disease, both of which are strongly affected by a patient’s diet. 

In order to maintain even generally positive health outcomes, seniors should be consuming regular, healthy meals.

But in response to social distancing, food banks and other places for seniors to obtain regular meals have shut their doors. Although they may be eligible for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), few seniors take advantage of the benefit, often simply because they are unaware that they are eligible. Of those that do, 20 percent in 2018 received only $16 per month.

Without access to food, elderly COVID-19 patients, who are the primary victims of the coronavirus, can experience fatal health complications.

Payer philanthropy will not solve all of the social determinants of health challenges related to coronavirus.

However, in her commendation of Tufts Health Plan’s efforts, Marylou Sudders, Massachusetts Secretary of Health and Human Services and the Commonwealth’s COVID-19 command center lead, underscored the true value of these investments by health plans and organizations in the efforts against coronavirus.

“Philanthropy makes a difference in this time of uncertainty,” said Sudders. “By increasing the resources available to communities, we all can improve response and recovery capacity. It is important to have broad support from all sectors as we manage our response, and Tufts Health Plan Foundation is demonstrating leadership by providing flexible funding to help some of our most vulnerable residents during this unprecedented outbreak.”