This discussion paper prepared by John Snow, Inc., in collaboration with the California Association of Public Hospitals and California Health Care Safety Net Institute, defines whole-person care as the coordination of health, behavioral health, and social services in a patient-centered manner with the goals of improved health outcomes and more efficient and effective use of resources. The paper uses the following conceptual framework for advancing whole-person care:
- identify the target population
- provide patient-centered care
- coordinate services across sectors
- share data
- create financial flexibility
- engage collaborative leadership.
The paper describes several models of whole-person centered in the safety net nationally, including dual-eligible demonstrations, safety net accountable care organizations, accountable care communities. The insights from the review of these models include:
- development of coordinated systems requires collaboration between stakeholders and services across multiple sectors to provide person-centered care
- high-risk care management is frequently an entry point into whole-person care because high-risk individuals are often interacting with health, behavioral health, and social service systems
- flexible payment methods are a key facilitator for whole-person care
- approaches to whole-person care can be combined in mutually reinforcing manners, and can provide learning opportunities across whole-person care initiatives
- committed leadership matters tremendously, though it can come from different sectors.
The paper was funded by the Blue Shield of California Foundation.
Ignatius Bau 