Initiatives to Address Statewide Gaps in Care Delivery

This category of Statewide Investments addresses gaps in care delivery across the state. These investments include enhanced diversionary behavioral health activities and improved accessibility for people with disabilities or for whom English is not a primary language. Information about each program, including awardees, can be found below.

Enhanced Diversionary Behavioral Health Activities (SWI 7)

As part of the Commonwealth’s larger effort to expand the capacity of the behavioral health system, MassHealth is investing in enhanced diversionary behavioral health activities.

These activities will support the implementation of strategies to ensure members with behavioral health needs receive care in the most appropriate, least restrictive settings.

MassHealth will consider a broad spectrum of strategies for investment (e.g., technological solutions to facilitate providers’ access to patients’ medical histories upon arrival to the emergency department, data collection and analysis platforms, etc.).

MassHealth anticipates investing $1.3 million in these activities during the first year of the five year period of the DSRIP program.

MassHealth anticipates investing $1.3 million in these activities.

Improved Accessibility: Provider Directory (SWI 8a)

MassHealth’s investment in improved accessibility will fund the development of a member-facing web directory that details the accessibility features and equipment of MassHealth providers. The program supports providers in the acquisition of expertise that meet the needs of people with disabilities or for whom English is not a primary language. MassHealth anticipates investing approximately $1.4 million on this directory over the five year period of the DSRIP program.

MassHealth anticipates investing $1.4 million on this directory.

Improved Accessibility: Accessibility Grant Program (SWI 8b)

MassHealth’s investment in improved accessibility will establish a grant program that enables MassHealth providers to purchase accessible medical diagnostic equipment and other resources to improve member access. The program supports providers in the acquisition of equipment and resources that meet the needs of people with disabilities or for whom English is not a primary language.

The Accessibility Grant Program is coming soon. MassHealth anticipates investing approximately $9 million into the program over the five year period of the DSRIP program.

MassHealth anticipates investing $9 million in this program.