Health inequities can have an enormous impact on your patients’ health, well-being and quality of life. All too often, a provider’s ability to diagnose and treat illness is impacted by these inequities, including social determinants of health (SDOH). The World Health Organization defines SDOH as the conditions in which people are born, grow, work, live, and age, and the wider set of forces and systems shaping the conditions of their daily lives. For example, they may experience food, housing or economic instabilities.

It’s estimated that up to 80 percent of a patient’s overall health is tied to SDOH.* As a result, tools and resources to overcome inequities aren’t just nice to have, they’re vital to achieving desired outcomes.

SDOH resources available to you

We have tools and offers trainings to help you identify and address health inequities, provide culturally competent care, and improve health outcomes. They’re available at MedicareProviders.Cigna.com > Provider Education > Health Assessment Tools and Information > Cultural Competency and Health Equity Resources.

There, you’ll find:

• Addressing Social Determinants of Health within Your Practice
• Cultural Competency and Health Equity Resources
• Health Disparities among the African-American Community [PDF]
• Health Disparities among the Hispanic Community [PDF]
• Social Determinants of Health: Addressing Health Inequities: Available for 1 CME Credit

The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services has identified addressing SDOH as a key focal area of its Healthy People 2030 initiative. Learn more at Health.gov/healthypeople.

Additionally, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services developed a Framework for Health Equity 2022–2023.

The Cigna Healthcare Medicare Advantage social work program leverages the clinical expertise of our social work team to meet your patients’ needs, encourage healthy behaviors, address SDOH concerns, and proactively address top admission-driving diagnoses. 

If you believe a patient’s health and well-being are being impacted by SDOH, encourage them to contact us to talk to a social worker by calling 866.382.0518 (TTY 711), Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. CST. Cigna Healthcare Medicare Advantage social workers will work with your patients to assess health status and address gaps in care, then connect them with resources to mitigate:

• Food insecurities and supply needs
• Financial assistance needs
• Difficulties with copayments and affording medications
• Utility and rent issues
• Housing insecurity (e.g., homelessness, eviction issues, home safety, home repair, pest control, mold)
• Transportation needs/benefit assistance, and social support/isolation needs

The program is available for all Cigna Healthcare Medicare Advantage customers. Learn more at MedicareProviders.Cigna.com > Other Resources: Patient Support Programs.

* “Addressing the Real Implications of Social Determinants of Health.” HealthPayerIntelligence. 01 April 2019. Retrieved from https://healthpayerintelligence.com/news/addressing-the-real-implications-of-social-determinants-of-health.