These programs could save Medicaid an average of $4,200 per beneficiary every year. Every dollar invested in community health worker services is worth over double that amount in savings.
"Accessing the right care can feel impossible in our increasingly complex healthcare system, but community health workers help bridge the gap. From connecting people with the right providers to serving as trusted advisors, these community-based navigators drastically improve the quality of life for their neighbors," said Senator Blunt Rochester. "I’m proud to introduce the Community Health Worker Access Act to add coverage for community health workers under Medicare and formally acknowledge the vital role they play in keeping our communities healthy and safe."
The bill creates two new categories of reimbursable services under Medicare:
- Preventative services to avoid illness, reduce physical or mental disability, and restore body function.
- Educational services and referrals to health care and community-based resources to address health-related social needs, including assistance navigating insurance enrollment, easing transportation barriers, and connecting patients to support services.