Center for Health Care Strategies

Health Affairs Forefront | Leveraging Tech-Enabled Innovation to Support Medicaid Enrollees in Navigating Work Requirements - CHCS Blog This blog post outlines key technology considerations for states as they work to meet new federal Medicaid work requirements in ways that minimize coverage loss and continue to deliver high quality ca...

This new Health Affairs Forefront article outlines key tech considerations for states as they work to meet new federal #Medicaid work requirements, transform their IT systems, and minimize coverage loss for members. bit.ly/4aLI45C

Strengthening the Oral Health Workforce Through State Oral Health Improvement Plans - Center for Health Care Strategies A robust oral health workforce is essential for ensuring access to care for people served by Medicaid. However, only 41 percent of U.S. dentists participate in Medicaid/CHIP, even as many states expan...

Many states include dental workforce strategies within broader State Oral Health Improvement Plans (SOHIPs). This tool highlights SOHIP examples nationwide, including priorities and strategies to strengthen the oral health workforce. bit.ly/3MiAuHy

Navigating Federal Changes: The Value of Multisector Plans for Aging - CHCS Blog The 2025 federal budget reconciliation act (P.L. 119-21) will likely have significant implications for older adults and people with disabilities. Reductions in funding for Medicaid, Medicare, Affordab...

In the wake of federal funding reductions, states will face pressure to sustain health & social service programs that support older adults. This blog post highlights how states can use MPAs to respond to shifts in the policy and fiscal environment. bit.ly/4aBEzid

Contingency Management Programs: State Lessons from Planning to Scaling - Center for Health Care Strategies This webinar will bring together state leaders from Delaware, New Jersey, and Wisconsin to discuss how they are designing and scaling contingency management programs across diverse policy and funding ...

States are increasingly turning to contingency management (CM) to address growing behavioral health needs. Join this CHCS webinar, 2/24, 12 – 1:15 PM ET, to hear state leaders from DE, NJ, & WI discuss how they are developing & scaling CM programs. bit.ly/45PtmJk

Strengthening Rhode Island’s Medicaid Oral Health Workforce - CHCS Blog A robust oral health workforce is essential to improving access to oral health care for Medicaid members, particularly those in historically underserved communities. Rhode Island, however, like many s...

A robust oral health workforce is essential for improving access to oral health care in Medicaid. This blog post shares insights from Rhode Island oral health leaders on their experience developing the state’s Dental Workforce Strategic Plan. bit.ly/4aojvvv

Multisector Plan for Aging Toolkit - Center for Health Care Strategies This toolkit is designed to support states and their partners as they develop, implement, and periodically refresh a Multisector Plan for Aging.

Multisector plans for aging help states take a more coordinated, long-term approach to serving older adults & people with disabilities. Explore this new toolkit from CHCS. bit.ly/3L7M8o5

Launching Rural Health Transformation Plans: Lessons from Other Large-Scale State Initiatives - Center for Health Care Strategies Drawing on insights from state officials involved in similar transformation efforts, this brief provides recommendations to help states establish the infrastructure needed to implement Rural Health Tr...

As states work to rapidly design and launch their Rural Health Transformation Program plans, this brief offers best practices across four key domains essential to successful implementation. bit.ly/4kpQ1BT #RHTP

Contingency Management Programs: State Lessons from Planning to Scaling - Center for Health Care Strategies This webinar will bring together state leaders from Delaware, New Jersey, and Wisconsin to discuss how they are designing and scaling contingency management programs across diverse policy and funding ...

States are increasingly turning to contingency management (CM) to address growing behavioral health needs. Join this CHCS webinar, 2/24, 12 – 1:15 PM ET, to hear state leaders from DE, NJ, & WI discuss how they are developing & scaling CM programs. bit.ly/45PtmJk

Expanding Access to Community Health Workers in Rural Communities - Center for Health Care Strategies This webinar will feature CHW programs in Oregon, Tennessee, and Virginia, to highlight lessons on expanding access to CHW services in rural communities.

WEBINAR, 2/18, 2 – 3:15 pm ET - Join this upcoming event that will feature rural #CHW programs in OR, TN, and VA to highlight lessons on expanding access to CHW services in rural communities. bit.ly/49I9l9Y

Preparing for an Aging Population with Data - CHCS Blog Understanding how demographic, economic, and policy trends are reshaping aging across the U.S. is essential to helping national, state, and local stakeholders plan for and support older adults’ evolvi...

As the U.S. ages, states need better data to plan. This CHCS blog post highlights the National Aging Readiness Dashboard, developed by West Health. The tool brings together national & state data to inform strategies that better support older adults. bit.ly/46xRyA1

Contingency Management Programs: State Lessons from Planning to Scaling - Center for Health Care Strategies This webinar will bring together state leaders from Delaware, New Jersey, and Wisconsin to discuss how they are designing and scaling contingency management programs across diverse policy and funding ...

States are increasingly turning to contingency management (CM) to address growing behavioral health needs. Join this CHCS webinar, 2/24, 12 – 1:15 PM ET, to hear state leaders from DE, NJ, & WI discuss how they are developing & scaling CM programs. bit.ly/45PtmJk

Multisector Plan for Aging Toolkit - Center for Health Care Strategies This toolkit is designed to support states and their partners as they develop, implement, and periodically refresh a Multisector Plan for Aging.

Multisector plans for aging help states take a more coordinated, long-term approach to serving older adults & people with disabilities. Explore this new toolkit from CHCS. bit.ly/3L7M8o5

Expanding Access to Community Health Workers in Rural Communities - Center for Health Care Strategies This webinar will feature CHW programs in Oregon, Tennessee, and Virginia, to highlight lessons on expanding access to CHW services in rural communities.

Through the federal Rural Health Transformation Program, states are investing in community health workers to strengthen rural health systems. Join CHCS for a webinar spotlighting rural #CHW programs in OR, TN & VA. bit.ly/49I9l9Y

What New Long-Term Services and Supports Data Show About Rebalancing — and How States Can Respond - CHCS Blog On December 23, 2025, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released several new reports detailing Medicaid long-term services and supports (LTSS) use and spending. These publications off...

Long-term care is a major component of #Medicaid spending. This new blog post examines key themes from recent CMS data, including national trends in #LTSS use & spending and rebalancing toward #HCBS among key populations.
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Advancing Medicaid Primary Care Population-Based Payment Models: Four Lessons for States - CHCS Blog Primary care is critical for supporting population health in the U.S., yet it has long been underfunded within Medicaid. This is a dynamic time for Medicaid, with states facing increased financial pre...

This blog post explores key opportunities & challenges for Medicaid primary care population-based payment implementation, highlighting priority areas for states to refine model design. bit.ly/4qCR581 @commonwealthfund.org @arnoldventures.bsky.social

Food is Medicine State Officer Program - Center for Health Care Strategies Nutrition insecurity in the U.S. drives adverse health outcomes, including higher rates of diabetes, hypertension, and high-risk pregnancies, and it also contributes to increased health care costs. In...

The new Food is Medicine State Officer Program, made possible by a joint philanthropic initiative from @rockefellerfdn.bsky.social & Builders Vision & facilitated by CHCS, will fund up to 10 states to staff and support Food is Medicine programs. Learn more & apply! bit.ly/4pvj9Je

The Role of Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics in Improving Outcomes for Children and Families Using the System of Care Approach - Center for Health Care Strategies This brief outlines how CCBHCs can support children’s behavioral health services within an SOC framework and provides recommendations for policymakers and community providers on aligning CCBHC certifi...

This new brief highlights how aligning CCBHC certification criteria with System of Care values can help policymakers and providers better meet the unique needs of children and families. bit.ly/3LC5Wjs

Intensive Care Coordination Using the Wraparound Approach for Children with Complex Behavioral Health Needs - Center for Health Care Strategies Wraparound is associated with positive outcomes for children and youth, including greater stability in the community, reduced residential care, improved clinical outcomes.

Learn how the Wraparound model, an evidence-based approach to intensive care coordination, helps families navigate health and social services to better serve children with complex behavioral health needs. bit.ly/43NHfXt

Engaging Community Members in Michigan to Improve Access to Continuous Glucose Monitors - Center for Health Care Strategies For Medicaid members with diabetes, continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) offer valuable support in managing the condition. CGM use is linked to improved health outcomes, quality of life, and clinical qu...

Black Americans face high rates of diabetes yet remain underrepresented in continuous glucose monitor use (CGMs), especially among Medicaid members. This profile highlights how @MichiganHHS is working to expand the use of CGMs among eligible populations. bit.ly/3N5xGh3

Peer Recovery Support Services in Substance Use Treatment - Center for Health Care Strategies This Evidence Roundup highlights studies on the impact of peer support and offers recommendations for embedding and supporting peer workers across care settings.

Expanding peer recovery services is a proven strategy to address the overdose and #mentalhealth crises in the US. This Evidence Roundup highlights studies on the impact of peer support and offers guidance for embedding peer workers across care settings. bit.ly/44TwdR4

Integrating Harm Reduction into Health Care Settings Serving Medicaid Members - Center for Health Care Strategies This new brief outlines practical strategies for health care organizations and states to advance harm reduction for Medicaid members, with the goal of improving outcomes and reducing costs.

How can states and health care organizations expand access to evidence-based SUD care, including harm reduction, for #Medicaid beneficiaries? Check out practical strategies in this new brief, supported by @vitalstrategies.org. bit.ly/48L4jrd

From all of us at CHCS, thank you for joining us in our shared commitment to making health care work better for those who need it most. We wish you peace, health, and joy this holiday season — and a bright start to 2026!

State Approaches for Medicaid Specialty Plans to Support Whole-Person Care - Center for Health Care Strategies This brief examines design and evaluation considerations for states implementing specialty plan models within Medicaid

States are implementing specialty plans for #Medicaid enrollees with complex health needs to support more whole-person care. This brief shares design & evaluation insights based on models in five states: bit.ly/44jTETd @chcfnews.bsky.social

Using Provider Surveys to Expand Continuous Glucose Monitor Access in Medicaid - Center for Health Care Strategies This tool explores how these three states conducted provider surveys to identify opportunities related to CGM usage, providing insights that can support other state Medicaid agencies in surveying thei...

Empowering primary care providers to prescribe continuous glucose monitors (CGM) can improve access for #Medicaid members with #diabetes. This tool helps states survey providers to identify barriers and opportunities for expanding CGM use through primary care. bit.ly/47O7Kx5

Medicaid Beneficiary Advisory Councils: A Guide to Evaluating Process and Impact - Center for Health Care Strategies This tool presents strategies and examples to help states effectively integrate evaluation approaches into their BAC programs.

A new tool from CHCS offers strategies and examples to help states integrate evaluation into their beneficiary advisory council (BAC) programs — supporting stronger member engagement. bit.ly/3Lfhr01

Integrating Harm Reduction into Health Care Settings Serving Medicaid Members - Center for Health Care Strategies This new brief outlines practical strategies for health care organizations and states to advance harm reduction for Medicaid members, with the goal of improving outcomes and reducing costs.

Medicaid plays a major role in providing care to people with substance use disorder (SUD) and is uniquely positioned to expand access to evidence-based SUD services, including harm reduction. bit.ly/48L4jrd

Providing Transportation Services to Address Health and Social Needs: Kaizen Health and Iowa Medicaid Managed Care Organizations - Center for Health Care Strategies Access to transportation is essential for reaching medical care and related services. In 2022, five percent of non-elderly adults in the U.S. missed needed health care due to a lack of transportation,...

Many #Medicaid members face barriers to reliable transportation, even when benefits are available. A recent pilot in Iowa offers valuable lessons for other states & MCOs seeking to use tech-driven approaches to meet members’ transportation needs. bit.ly/3JkwYLh

Supporting Older Adults in Rural Communities: Home- and Community-Based Care - Center for Health Care Strategies More than 20 percent of older adults in the United States live in rural areas, and in some states, that number exceeds 50 percent. Rural communities face challenges to accessing health care, including...

Most older adults want to age in place, but this can be challenging in rural communities. Our Evidence-to-Action Collection features three proven care models to help older adults in rural communities age in their homes and stay connected. bit.ly/3K2OEv5

CHCS exists to make your work easier. Tell us what challenges in Medicaid are most pressing for you, and what support would help make the greatest impact. bit.ly/48Unuk4

Supporting Older Adults in Rural Communities: Home- and Community-Based Care - Center for Health Care Strategies More than 20 percent of older adults in the United States live in rural areas, and in some states, that number exceeds 50 percent. Rural communities face challenges to accessing health care, including...

Most older adults want to age in place, but this can be challenging in rural communities. Our Evidence-to-Action Collection features three proven care models to help older adults in rural communities age in their homes and stay connected. bit.ly/3K2OEv5