PHILADELPHIA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--As the first managed care organization in Pennsylvania to not only provide medically tailored meals to its members with chronic conditions but to also improve access to health care for those experiencing homelessness, Health Partners Plans (HPP) is continuing its commitment to address social determinants of health by providing job readiness training to local men in transitional housing.
Today, the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) is visiting HPP as part of its Medicaid Innovation Tour while HPP hosts participants of Ready, Willing & Able (RWA) for a day of workshops designed to strengthen their professional skills to prepare them for re-entering the job market. RWA is a Philadelphia-based nonprofit organization helping homeless men secure full-time employment and independent housing. HPP’s training teaches RWA clients critical skills and helps them gain self-confidence in their job search through workshops focused on resume building, assertive communication and interviewing skills. HPP will also present a session on the changing role of today’s fathers that will cover communicating effectively and supporting children financially and emotionally as the men work to regain their independence.
HPP’s community education team began working with RWA clients earlier this year to help break the cycle of unemployment while providing them with resources to manage life’s challenges. “We know homelessness and job insecurity contribute to poor health. As a leading managed care organization, it’s our responsibility to address these social determinants in novel ways to improve health outcomes,” said President and CEO William S. George. “Providing this training is a natural extension of the work we do to overcome these obstacles and improve the overall quality of life for this very vulnerable population.”
HPP is an established leader in the charge to find innovative solutions to help eliminate barriers to care. Recently, Mr. George was one of just five leaders in the nation invited to Congress to discuss HPP’s success in providing medically tailored meals to its most chronically ill members through a partnership with the Metropolitan Area Neighborhood Nutrition Alliance (MANNA). HPP pioneered the food as medicine program in Pennsylvania, which resulted in improved health outcomes and reduced medical costs. Additionally, earlier this year HPP forged a first-of-its-kind partnership with Broad Street Ministry and Philadelphia FIGHT Community Health Centers to improve access to health care services for those experiencing homelessness.
DHS is placing greater emphasis on addressing social determinants of health. DHS Secretary Teresa D. Miller is touring the state’s managed care organizations, highlighting those that look beyond the health care setting to find innovative ways of improving health outcomes and reducing medical costs.
“Focusing on these issues allows individuals to thrive in other aspects of their lives,” said Secretary Teresa Miller. “It is time we change the focus from providing a service to Pennsylvanians, and instead look to empower individuals with better health.”
About Health Partners Plans
Health Partners Plans, an innovative not-for-profit managed care organization, is the only Medicaid plan in Pennsylvania and is among just 11 Medicaid plans nationwide with an accreditation status of Excellent as of September 26, 2017. This is the highest status bestowed by the National Committee for Quality Assurance. Health Partners Plans serves more than 283,000 members in Southeastern Pennsylvania and the Lehigh/Capital region. It provides a broad range of health coverage options through Health Partners Medicare, Health Partners (Medicaid) and KidzPartners (Children’s Health Insurance Program) plans. Founded more than 30 years ago, Health Partners Plans is one of the few hospital-owned health plans in the country. Learn more about how Health Partners Plans is doing it right at HealthPartnersPlans.com, twitter.com/HPPlans and facebook.com/healthpartnersplans.
