Advocating for Community Health Workers: RCPA, PACHW and Medicaid Payment Reform in Pennsylvania

Community Health Workers (CHWs) play a vital role in improving health outcomes in Pennsylvania, but they face challenges when it comes to payment for their services. Recently, the RCPA partnered with several organizations and the Pennsylvania Community Health Worker Collaborative (PACHW) to send two letters to Governor Shapiro and the PA Department of Human Services (DHS). The first letter emphasized several key points that PACHW wanted to bring to attention regarding CHW payments.

The organizations involved are advocating for DHS to establish a fair and sufficient reimbursement rate for CHW services. They also want to see a dedicated provider type for CHWs created to streamline the payment process and ensure proper recognition for the services they provide. Additionally, recognizing Social Determinants of Health (SDoH) as a primary diagnosis code is crucial in addressing the holistic needs of patients and understanding the root causes of health disparities in the community.

By working alongside PACHW, RCPA and other organizations are pushing for important changes to the Medicaid payment system to better support CHWs and their vital role in improving health outcomes in Pennsylvania. This collaboration underscores the commitment to addressing healthcare disparities and ensuring that all individuals have access to the services they need to lead healthy, fulfilling lives.