The Social Service Factor In The Health Care Value Equation

Two health care “megatrends” have put a new spotlight on the social determinants of health. First, there is the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 (PPACA) rule changes that eliminate pre-existing condition clauses and lifetime limits in health plan coverage. Second, there is the move from reimbursing provider organizations from pay-for-volume and pay-for-value. Why the new spotlight? Because, the focus of health care has shifted away from both moving consumers from plan to plan, and providing lots of services for conditions that were most likely preventable.

The concept of social determinants of health . . .