As part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ ongoing efforts to assist states with addressing various health-related social needs (HRSN), as discussed in a State Health Official Letter about addressing Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) released in 2021, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) encourages states to help enrollees stay connected to coverage and access needed health care services by addressing unmet HRSN. States can address HRSN through a variety of Medicaid authorities, including state plan authorities, section 1915 home and community-based services (HCBS) waivers and state plan programs, managed care in lieu of services and settings (ILOSs) and section 1115 demonstrations, as well as Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) Health Service Initiatives (HSIs).
