Missouri HealthNet’s New ToRCH Model Addresses Social Care Challenges For Chronic Health Conditions & Creates Sustainability For Rural Hospitals

On February 14, 2024, Missouri’s HealthNet Division (MO HealthNet) and Unite Us announced a partnership with six rural hospitals in the state to enhance the rollout of the first cohort of the Transformation of Rural Community Health (ToRCH) program. ToRCH is a new model of care intended to align existing social care funding, provide new funding, and create a new path for rural hospitals to improve clinical outcomes for Medicaid beneficiaries. The program is designed to accomplish these goals by strategically addressing health-related social needs (HRSNs) that compromise individuals’ ability to maintain their health and effectively manage chronic . . .