Accounting for Social Risks in Medicare and Medicaid Payments

There is increasing pressure on frontline clinicians, particularly those in primary care, to assess patients for social needs — for instance, poverty, housing instability, food insecurity, and unemployment — which can be potent drivers of health outcomes. While identifying these needs is important, without resources to address them directly or the ability to partner with community-based organizations, clinicians are left powerless. Being pushed to assess without resources can be a source of frustration and burnout for clinicians who are motivated to help their patients.