A Managed Care Model for Latino Adults With Chronic Illness and Disability

Abstract

The authors evaluated a managed care model developed for use by community-based providers to improve health care outcomes for low-income Latinos with disabilities and chronic illnesses. Through this model, Medicaid enrollees with special health care needs were identified and received enhanced primary care, on-site mental health and addiction services, care coordination, and support services based on their levels of need. The goal of the demonstration was to determine whether capitation would be a catalyst to transform typical primary care delivery processes to provide enhanced, culturally competent care to patients with complex health care and psychosocial needs. Despite a significant investment in outpatient services, the intervention was cost effective due to a dramatic decline in inpatient care for a few enrollees. For most enrollees, care was slightly more expensive due to enhanced outpatient medical and mental health care. Enrollees expressed high satisfaction with the intervention.