Helping Pregnant People Through Better Health Care

In 2018, Massachusetts took a big step forward in health care. They started using a new system called Accountable Care Organizations, or ACOs, for their Medicaid program. This system is designed to make health care better and more efficient. One key part of this new system is that it requires all ACOs to check for social risks. These are things like not having enough food, which can really affect a person's health. Social risks are big problems. They can make pregnancy more difficult and lead to worse health outcomes. To help with this, doctors started using special codes in 2016. These codes, called Z codes, are part of the International Statistical Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision. They help doctors document social risks in medical records. However, these codes are not used as much as they should be. The goal of checking for social risks is to improve health outcomes, especially during pregnancy. Pregnancy is a critical time, and addressing social risks can make a big difference. For example, making sure a pregnant person has enough food can lead to a healthier baby and a smoother pregnancy. The ACO model is all about taking responsibility for a person's health. By checking for social risks, ACOs can provide better care. They can connect people with the resources they need, like food assistance or housing support. This can lead to better health outcomes and a healthier community overall. It's important to note that this approach is not just about fixing problems. It's about preventing them. By addressing social risks early, ACOs can help people stay healthy and avoid more serious health issues down the road. This is a smart way to use health care resources and improve people's lives.