The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #66105

Lila Herndon Vizzard, MPH¹, Elizabeth Riggs, MPH¹, Nurit R. Fischler, MS², Joanne Rogovoy, BS³, Saundra Ivey, RN, MSN, CRNP⁴, Robin Allison, MA⁵, and Scott D. Berns, MD, MPH⁶. (1) National Office, March of Dimes, 1275 Mamaroneck Avenue, White Plains, NY 10605, (2) Oregon Health Division, Oregon Department of Human Services, 800 NE Oregon Street, #825, Portland, OR 97232, (3) Oregon Chapter, March of Dimes, 1220 SW Morrison, Suite 510, Portland, OR 97205, (4) School of Nursing, Auburn University Montgomery, P.O. Box 2444023, 7300 University Drive, Montgomery, AL 36124-3670, (5) Alabama Chapter, March of Dimes Foundation, 100 Vestavia Pkwy, Suite 100, Birmingham, AL 35216, (6) Chapter Program Support, March of Dimes, 1275 Mamaroneck Avenue, White Plains, NY 10605

During times of economic constraint, finding innovative ways to improve access to health services for vulnerable populations becomes critically important. Much of the literature on Medicaid-based collaborations focuses on community-based organizations establishing contractual relationships with Medicaid in order to provide enhanced health care services or to fill gaps in existing services. Less information exists on establishing partnerships with state Medicaid agencies themselves to improve services system wide. The March of Dimes’ Mission Investment Opportunities Program (MIOP) provides March of Dimes chapters with the funding necessary to support collaborative projects with partner organizations. The program promotes enhanced service delivery and interventions in a number of topic areas including “improving access to and quality of health care for women and children.” This presentation will describe two model projects that successfully instituted systems change to improve the delivery of perinatal services through collaborations with Medicaid. The Oregon MothersCare Project created a partnership between state and local public health agencies and Medicaid to streamline the application process and to establish other practical mechanisms to help women access prenatal care services. The Alabama INA Project involved a partnership with the Alabama Medicaid Agency to increase the effectiveness of counseling for Medicaid clients in Alabama around HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STI). The primary result was the modification and revision of the state’s existing family planning protocol and training for Medicaid providers on this new protocol. This presentation will also discuss best practices for developing such relationships and implications for sustainability.

Learning Objectives:

At the conclusion of this session, the participant (learner) will be able to:
• Identify challenges for State Medicaid systems in reaching vulnerable populations.
• Describe the results of two model collaborative programs and discuss best practices identified for improving health care services for specific, vulnerable populations through collaborations with Medicaid.

Keywords: Medicaid, Collaboration

Related Web page: www.marchofdimes.com

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: I am employed by the March of Dimes