Publications

Engaging with families is vital to transforming the health care system and positively impacting the life course of vulnerable populations. Families have extensive experience in partnering with professionals to improve systems of care, are organized and connected across the country, and stand ready to assist at every level of next efforts for improvement. Learn how to meaningfully involve families at every level of health care systems and engage them as critical partners in designing policies that will improve care for all children.

Families of CSHCN are the experts on their children’s health care and on how systems and services could function more effectively to meet their needs. However, many family members lack the skills, confidence, and support to pursue advocacy and leadership roles in system change. That’s beginning to change in California.

New research from Mathematica Policy Research weighs the question: “Can we draw lessons from Medicare to improve care coordination for children with special health care needs - especially those covered by Medicaid?” The answer is yes.

Care coordination is an important approach to addressing the fragmented care that children with medical complexity often encounter. What are optimal care coordination services? How does care coordination intersect with care integration and case management? Learn best practices and how to implement a process that will achieve improved outcomes and value for children with special health care needs and their families. 

Alternative payment models promote novel care-delivery systems and greater accountability for health outcomes With a focus on population health, patient-centered medical homes, and care coordination, this model holds the potential to promote care-delivery systems that address the unique needs of children with medical complexity, including nonmedical needs and the social determinants of health.

Sufficient access to needed services for children with medical complexity is not assured and varies considerably by payer, many of whom who face pressures to control health spending. This article reviews the rights of children with medical complexity in Medicaid, the Children’s Health Insurance Program, and various forms of private health insurance to receive services that are necessary to promote optimal health, development, and family functioning.

Families authentically involved at every level of health care systems are critical partners in designing policies and systems that will improve care for children with medical complexity. Written by a group of parents, this article provides an overview of the demands of managing care from their unique perspective.