Briefs & White Papers
Dive into our White Papers and Recommendation Papers for actionable insights and strategies addressing key challenges in health, technology, equity, and innovation.
The Vital Importance of Cybersecurity in Healthcare: A Comprehensive Guide
By Atrómitos
In an era marked by rapid digital transformation, cybersecurity in healthcare is more critical than ever. With healthcare institutions increasingly targeted by cyberattacks, safeguarding patient data and ensuring operational continuity have become paramount concerns. The Vital Importance of Cybersecurity in Healthcare: A Comprehensive Guide delves into the current landscape of cyber threats facing the healthcare sector and outlines essential strategies for fortifying digital defenses.
The New Frontier in Medicaid Innovation: Financing the Delivery of Health-Related Social Needs
By Atrómitos
Exploring the impact of addressing social determinants of health (SDOH) and health-related social needs (HRSNs) in Medicaid programs, this paper highlights CMS initiatives like the groundbreaking “Healthy Opportunities Pilot” in North Carolina and the evolving “HRSN Framework for 1115(b) Waivers.” These efforts emphasize evidence-based interventions and fiscal accountability, marking a pivotal shift in Medicaid innovation.
The National Diabetes Prevention Program & Community Health Centers: A Resource Guide for Implementation and Stability
By Atrómitos & Evolve Health Strategies For The Association Of Diabetes Care & Education Specialists
The National Diabetes Prevention Program (National DPP) is a year-long, evidence-based lifestyle change program aimed at preventing type 2 diabetes. To expand access, ADCES partnered with Atrómitos and Evolve Health Strategists to create a Resource Guide that helps Federally Qualified Health Centers and FQHC Look-Alikes (LALs) with implementing the program.
Medicaid Managed Care Readiness Roadmap
By Atrómitos for the UNCW Center For Healthy Communities
The University of North Carolina Wilmington partnered with Atrómitos to create a Medicaid Managed Care Readiness Roadmap, guiding local health departments through Medicaid Transformation in North Carolina. This comprehensive resource includes compliance documentation templates and operational guidance, applicable to any provider preparing for Medicaid managed care.
This roadmap was created with support from the Blue Cross Blue Shield Foundation of North Carolina and Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust under the Tri-County Value-Based Care Collaborative project piloted by the Center for Healthy Communities at UNC Wilmington and in partnership with the Robeson, Bladen, and Columbus County health departments.
Telehealth in North Carolina Medicaid and Healthchoice: An Introductory Guide
By Atrómitos for the UNCW Center For Healthy Communities
The University of North Carolina Wilmington Center for Healthy Communities employed the help of Atrómitos to develop an introductory guide on Telehealth in North Carolina Medicaid and Healthchoice. The guide offers foundational information about how Local Health Departments, specifically, and other providers in North Carolina, generally, can leverage telehealth for the services they offer through North Carolina Medicaid.
This guide was created with support from the Blue Cross Blue Shield Foundation of North Carolina and Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust under the Tri-County Value-Based Care Collaborative project piloted by the Center for Healthy Communities at UNC Wilmington and in partnership with the Robeson, Bladen, and Columbus County health departments.
Review of Key Attributes of High-Performing Person-Centered Health Care Organizations
By Atrómitos and The Nous Group
The Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care has published a report developed by The Nous Group, in partnership with Atrómitos, on the Review of Key Attributes of High-Performing Person-Centered Health Care Organizations. The report identifies attributes of person-centered care across all aspects of a health care organization, from leadership, people, and culture to governance, technology, and the way health care is delivered.
Atrómitos thanks The Nous Group for asking us to assist them in the development of this report by conducting the three North American case studies. This is a very comprehensive and valuable report on forming a patient-centered health care organization.
Public Comments
We see Public Comments as a critical link between constituents and policymakers, ensuring real-world needs inform impactful policies and drive inclusive, thoughtful solutions.
North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Medicaid Children & Families Specialty Plan Proposal
We have recently provided formal feedback on the proposed Medicaid Children and Families Specialty Plan design within the framework of the state’s ongoing Medicaid Transformation initiative. Leveraging our profound expertise gained from extensive engagements in North Carolina, as well as our proven track record of success in analogous contexts such as Washington and Illinois, we are advocating for pivotal components, including workforce enhancement, transparent dissemination of quality metrics, bolstered support for healthcare providers, and seamless continuity of care. Central to our advocacy is an unwavering commitment to the principle that every child merits optimal healthcare. Let us persist in our collaborative efforts to advance a healthcare ecosystem that steadfastly prioritizes the holistic well-being of our children and families.
Washington State Department of Commerce: Proposal for Community-Based Housing Advisory Committee
Atrómitos submitted a response to the Washington State Department of Commerce’s Proposal for Community-Based Housing Advisory Committee. The Department of Commerce’s proposal involves the replacement of the Policy Advisory Team (PAT) with a new Community-Based Housing Advisory Committee (CBHAC) to ensure more inclusive and equitable stakeholder engagement in housing-related decisions. A diverse group of constituents had previously raised concerns about the need for more diversity in the PAT membership, leading to the proposed restructuring. The Department’s four-part stakeholder engagement framework includes the CBHAC, Public Forums, Ad-hoc Task Forces, Advisory Groups, and avenues for Agency Partners and Consortia to provide input.
Healthcare Benefit Exchange: Lead Navigator Organization Procurement – RFI HBC 23-004
This survey’s purpose is to inform the forthcoming Lead Navigator Organization (LNO) procurement by WAHBE, which is expected to be released in early 2024, with potential date adjustments. WAHBE’s Navigator Program supports Navigators who offer in-person enrollment assistance and conduct outreach for underserved populations across the state. LNOs, responsible for various tasks within designated service areas, are crucial to this program. They conduct outreach, manage a network of Partner Organizations (POs) employing Navigators, and provide technical application support. The funding for the program, determined at $2.3 million annually, is distributed among LNOs to fulfill their contract obligations.
Washington State’s Draft Digital Equity Plan
Atrómitos’ focuses on community representation, engagement, and digital navigation services, so we recommended strengthening partnerships in the most recent public comments for the Washington State Digital Equity Plan. We emphasize centralizing resources for Digital Navigator partners, measuring telehealth utilization and patient satisfaction, and aligning the Health Outcomes section with specific goals. Leveraging Community Anchor Institutions is key, but partnering with other community-based organizations is crucial for reaching underserved communities. Atrómitos believes that WSBO can play a pivotal role in evaluating these partnerships and their impact on overlooked communities.
Empowering Change: Supporting Wellness, Equity, and Medicaid Transformation in North Carolina’s Healthcare System
Our comments to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services on its proposed Medicaid 1115 waiver extension reflect our appreciation of its visionary approach to transforming the healthcare system for the betterment of communities, with a focus on wellness and equity. We commend the achievements of the Healthy Opportunities Pilot and value the opportunity to contribute our insights. Our feedback and comments, drawn from our direct experience assisting providers, Network Leads, and Human Service organizations under the current Medicaid waiver, are organized into three categories aligned with the Department’s objectives.