Hennepin Health

Minnesota

Hennepin Health is county-level non-profit HMO that integrates social services with patient care. The program brings together the county hospital, the county social services provider, a federally qualified health center and the county-owned and operated health plan. This partnership facilitates better care coordination and data sharing. It also enables financial flexibility in how services are delivered and integrated. Services include supportive housing, job placement and targeted case-management. Hennepin Health uses data analysis to target high-cost and high-need patients among the roughly 12,000 Medicaid beneficiaries it serves.  These patients do not fit a specific profile but many have multiple chronic conditions, socioeconomic barriers to care and/or behavioral health challenges.  The program is one of the most well-known in the country and has received significant national attention.  

Partner Organizations

• Metropolitan Health Plan (health plan/insurer)
• Hennepin County Medical Center (hospital)
• Hennepin County Human Services and Public Health (social service provider)
• NorthPoint Health and Wellness Center (federally qualified health center)

Target Population

Medicaid enrollees with complex and/or housing needs

Care Team

Case manager, social worker, nurse, physician, behavioral health professional

Timeframe

2012 - present

Results/ Studies

Peer-reviewed research showed that 2012-2013 ER use dropped 55% among the intervention group

Funding

Accountable Care Model: Medicaid per-member per-month fees fund medical care; social services funded by county health department

Resources

Program website

2016 - case study by the Commonwealth Fund

2014 - review in Health Affairs