Twenty-One Elevance Health Medicaid Plans Receive NCQA Health Equity Accreditation Plus

2023-12-14

INDIANAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Elevance Health, Inc. (NYSE: ELV) recently received the new Health Equity Accreditation Plus for 21 of its affiliated Medicaid plans from the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA), a recognition that the company leads the industry in developing solutions to ensure access to high quality, equitable healthcare.

'Health equity, where everyone has a fair and just opportunity to be as healthy as possible, is a moral and social imperative for Elevance Health'

Of the 28 organizations to receive this accreditation, Elevance Health Medicaid plans earned more than any other managed care organization.

“Health equity, where everyone has a fair and just opportunity to be as healthy as possible, is a moral and social imperative for Elevance Health,” said Shantanu Agrawal, M.D., Chief Health Officer at Elevance Health. “Ten million of our Medicaid members are enrolled in a plan that received this NCQA distinction, validating our leadership in the industry and reinforcing our commitment to improving the health of those who have been historically disadvantaged.”

NCQA Health Equity Accreditation Plus builds upon the Health Equity Accreditation designation Elevance Health received last year, which recognized its affiliated Medicaid plans as among the first in the nation to create a strategic framework that prioritizes health equity based on race, ethnicity, language, sexual orientation and gender identity.

The new Health Equity Accreditation Plus goes a step further by acknowledging Elevance Health’s data-driven approach to identify and collect information on individuals’ social needs. This data enables its affiliated Medicaid plans to develop personalized services and supports to combat health inequities and establish impactful relationships with community-based organizations (CBOs) to improve the health outcomes of individuals.

“Racial and ethnic disparities have hindered quality healthcare progression for many Americans,” said Margaret E. O’Kane, NCQA President. “Organizations earning the Health Equity Accreditation Plus like Elevance Health are leading the way in bridging this gap, and NCQA salutes their commitment.”

Ninety-three percent of members in Elevance Health affiliated Medicaid plans are enrolled in a plan that achieved NCQA Health Equity Accreditation Plus.

“NCQA’s Health Equity Accreditation Plus is recognition for the systems our plans have put in place to identify social needs,” said Kurt Small, Medicaid President of Elevance Health. “In addition, it is an acknowledgement for how we use data to direct resources and create the programs that will have a positive impact on the health of the people we serve. With an intense and broad focus on health equity, our plans will continue to provide access to individualized care that improves maternal and behavioral health outcomes, ensures better access to care in rural areas and bolsters the whole health of our members.”

One way Elevance Health is advancing its health equity mission is through Community Connected Care. This program addresses health-related social needs by collaborating with CBOs, such as food banks and other non-profits to provide needed infrastructure and resources.

NCQA Health Equity Accreditation Plus was earned by Elevance Health affiliates in the following states:

Iowa

Maryland

New Jersey

Tennessee

Texas

Washington

Georgia

Indiana

Kentucky

Arkansas

California

Louisiana

Nebraska

Nevada

Wisconsin

Florida

Virginia

New York

Missouri

West Virginia

About NCQA

NCQA is a private, nonprofit organization dedicated to improving health care quality. NCQA accredits and certifies a wide range of health care organizations. It also recognizes clinicians and practices in key areas of performance. NCQA’s Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS®) is the most widely used performance measurement tool in health care. NCQA’s website (ncqa.org) contains information to help consumers, employers and others make more-informed health care choices. NCQA can be found online at ncqa.org, on Twitter @ncqa, on Facebook at facebook.com/NCQA.org/ and on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/company/ncqa.

About Elevance Health, Inc.

Elevance Health is a lifetime, trusted health partner fueled by its purpose to improve the health of humanity. The company supports consumers, families, and communities across the entire care journey – connecting them to the care, support, and resources they need to lead healthier lives. Elevance Health’s companies serve more than 119 million people through a diverse portfolio of industry-leading medical, digital, pharmacy, behavioral, clinical, and complex care solutions. For more information, please visit www.elevancehealth.com or follow us @ElevanceHealth on Twitter and Elevance Health on LinkedIn.