How are social determinants of health (SDoH) addressed by managed care plans?

• A. Through screenings, risk stratification, community partnerships, and services addressing housing, transportation, food, and social support.
• B. By focusing on inpatient care only.
• C. By increasing co-pays for all services.
• D. By ignoring social services to reduce costs.

Answer: (A)

Managed care plans address social determinants of health by actively screening members for social needs, using risk stratification to identify those with the greatest health and cost burden, and forming community partnerships to connect people with housing, transportation, food assistance, and social support. Screening uncovers barriers like housing instability, food insecurity, or transportation gaps that can lead to missed care or poor adherence. Risk stratification helps target intensive support to those most likely to have costly or poor outcomes. Partnerships with housing programs, transit services, food banks, and community organizations enable access to resources, while care coordination and benefits enrollment help members use them effectively. Addressing these non-medical needs improves health outcomes and can reduce avoidable utilization, which is more effective than focusing solely on inpatient care, increasing co-pays, or ignoring social services.