What Are the Roles of Community Health Workers in Medicaid Managed Care? Results from a National Study

Authors: Ashley Wennerstrom, Catherine G. Haywood, Denise O. Smith, Dakshu Jindal, Carl Rush, and Geoffrey W. Wilkinson

The aim of this national study was to examine the roles and activities of CHWs supported by managed care organizations (MCOs) and to assess differences between CHWs working directly with MCOs versus subcontracted by other organizations. The research team developed a list of topics to be included in the survey, such as demographics, CHW roles and activities, populations served, and work environment (e.g., training, benefits, income), and distributed the survey through various local, state, and regional CHW networks nationwide. Results from the survey demonstrated that CHWs supported by Medicaid managed care are demographically similar to the remaining CHW workforce, but differ notably in the interventions they tend to focus on. The findings of this study offer useful considerations for MCOs looking to work with CHWs while tapping their full potential to contribute valuably within managed care contexts.