Docs for Health

Spot on... except for the skin color and short hair ;-).

A Setback for CHWs in Rhode Island: Seeking Models for Diversified Billing Community Health Workers (CHWs) are vital to bridging health and social care, yet recent changes in Rhode Island are making it harder for them to sustain this work. Rhode Island's Medicaid Office has now prohibited billing for both home stabilization and CHW services within the same month—a policy shift that puts financial strain on CHWs, as well as the patients who rely on them. For context, CHWs in Rhode Island traditionally bill using the H1016 code for direct services, reimbursed in 15-minute increments at around $13 per interval. This translates to $52 per hour, or approximately $45,760 annually if a CHW works 20 hours per week for 44 weeks, yielding a modest hourly rate of $22. But, due to the unpredictable nature of CHW work, it’s challenging to bill consistently, which makes financial viability difficult. Home stabilization previously provided a solution for CHWs assisting patients facing homelessness or housing instability. This code allows CHWs to bill $313 for one 60-minute monthly visit—meaning a CHW with 20 clients for home stabilization could generate $75,120 per year. Combined with traditional CHW billing, these two codes provided a more sustainable income for CHWs addressing diverse needs: housing, medical appointments, food access, health education, and more. Now, with the new restriction, CHWs can no longer bill both codes in the same month, reducing their ability to provide comprehensive services and putting their roles at risk. Are there other models that allow diversified billing for CHWs? In many ways, CHWs serve as a lifeline for clients, connecting them with everything from housing to health education—similar to how physicians bill across codes for a range of services. If other states support diversified billing for CHWs, these models could provide a framework for advocating change in Rhode Island to better sustain CHW services and the patients who rely on them. If you know of successful approaches, please share—these examples could make a real difference in advocating for policy shifts. #CommunityHealthWorkers #HealthEquity #HealthRelatedSocialNeeds

I'm excited to share work published this past month that marks the culmination of months—and even years—of focused efforts at the intersection of healthcare and social care. Through community partnerships, addressing social determinants, and rethinking policies, these works strive to build a model of care that goes beyond treating symptoms. It’s about creating pathways to health that honor the full spectrum of needs. https://lnkd.in/gARyd2_5 https://lnkd.in/gsTp4uwF https://lnkd.in/gUB7n7uT

On my way back to Rhode Island after a lovely few days at HLTH Inc. The highlight was seeing longtime friends and colleagues, like Jennifer May Lee, David Melan?on, Vanessa Rissetto, MS, RD, CDN, Ali Khan, MD, MPP, and Morgan Cheatham. Thank you all for spending time with me! And thank you to all of the new colleagues and friends I met in Vegas these past few days.

Docs for Health has been selected to pitch at the Newport Investor Summit this September. We're so excited to meet fellow founders, like-minded individuals, potential mentors, and investors.

Something we've been thinking a lot about recently at Docs for Health is this: How can we better empower healthcare professionals to return to their true calling—caring for people? In a world where administrative tasks often overshadow the core work of compassionate care, we believe technology should enhance human connection, not replace it. Our goal is to provide healthcare and social service professionals with the tools to focus on what truly matters—addressing the full spectrum of social and medical needs, creating more effective and fulfilling care experiences. What if technology could alleviate the burden of paperwork, seamlessly integrating real-time social and medical needs into a single, intelligent platform that evolves with every use? One that doesn’t just flag a problem but helps ensure that no need is overlooked? At Docs for Health, we’re working towards a future where technology enables professionals to focus on the whole person, helping them provide holistic care that is not only efficient but deeply meaningful. #HealthEquity #HealthcareInnovation #SDoH #TechForGood #HolisticCare

?? RI Startup Week is right around the corner, and we are beyond stoked for the Flip The Script Investor Pitch Competition! ?? This time it's the INVESTORS in the hot seat! ?? Watch as Mill Cities Community Investments (Debt), Slater Technology Fund (Equity) and Boston Impact Initiative (Hybrid) all pitch to Docs for Health, an Impact Accelerator alum that helps health systems screen for social challenges, offer solutions, and track progress with their simple online dashboard. And here’s the best part – YOU get to play a role! After the pitches, the audience will vote on which investor is the best fit for Doc for Health. ???? Don't miss your chance to see the investment process in action and learn what makes these investment options most compelling. Join us on September 25th, 4 PM-6 PM at the SEG Hub! Hit the link https://buff.ly/3ASjUrM to secure your spot now!

Are we asking the right questions when screening for social needs in healthcare? In most healthcare settings, screening for health related social needs (HRSN) relies on a “screen and refer” approach: we identify needs, then offer a referral. But is that really enough? At Docs for Health, we’re flipping the script with our "Screen and Intervene" model. Instead of passively identifying needs, we’re empowering healthcare teams to take immediate action—right at the point of care, in under an hour. For example, instead of noting that a patient is food insecure and referring them to a local pantry, Docs for Health leverages complex rules to screen for SNAP eligibility, SNAP ABAWD exemption, and local food program eligibility, and then automates enrollment in real-time. This proactive approach leads to actual solutions, not just more waiting. The result? Healthier patients and communities, with less administrative burden and more productive and satisfied staff. It’s time we move beyond referrals and start intervening when it matters most. #HealthTech #SocialDeterminants #Innovation #Healthcare