Impact Health is committed to ensuring everyone in Western North Carolina (WNC) can access healthy opportunities. Our nonprofit leads a network of over 50 human service organizations (HSOs) in this effort. We also support the care managers and NC Medicaid health plans that are involved in North Carolina’s Healthy Opportunities Pilot (HOP).
HOP is a groundbreaking program that uses Medicaid funds to improve access to nutritious food, safe housing, and reliable transportation. HOP increases access to services that support safe and healthy relationships. Research indicates that these factors influence up to 80 percent of a person’s wellbeing. They are sometimes referred to as social determinants or drivers of health.
Here is a snapshot of the impact HOP had in WNC in 2023.
in HSO network
served
provided
funds distributed to HSOs
jobs supported
billed by HSOs
“Mold is a huge concern of mine, and to not have to worry about the roof is massive. The repairs and healthy home goods provided by Mountain Housing Opportunities and HOP helped us feel less anxious, especially not having to run a wood stove with two asthmatic children that now need medication twice a day. It definitely helps a lot.”
HOP participant
Photo by: Katie Richard
“We felt like HOP was a good fit for some of the services we were already providing. It gave us an opportunity to be more intentional with Medicaid recipients and help them with food, housing and resources to fill their gaps.”
Crisis Ministry Director, Asheville Buncombe Community Christian Ministry
“Many of the families we see have high resource needs, particularly families with small children. Being able to address these social determinants of health through the Healthy Opportunities Pilot helps our patients make the most of the healthcare services we offer.”
Integrated Behavioral Health Care Provider, MAHEC
provided across WNC to support individuals’ and families’ weekly nutritional needs.
received housing services that helped them access stable and healthy living conditions.
helped WNC residents access grocery stores and other community resources that support their wellbeing.
that promote resilience were provided to at-risk community members.
Helped network organizations successfully invoice $13.2M for pilot services and resolve more than $335,000 in disputed claims.
Developed a wellness-focused compliance program that helped human service organizations understand and successfully meet complex Medicaid billing requirements.
Launched a quality improvement initiative that provides multiple avenues for participant feedback that is used to guide ongoing pilot improvements.
Helped network organizations successfully invoice $13.2M for pilo services and resolve more than $335,000 in disputed claims.
Developed a wellness-focused compliance program that helped human service organizations understand and successfully meet complex Medicaid billing requirements.
Launched a quality improvement initiative that provides multiple avenues for participant feedback that is used to guide ongoing pilot improvements.
“My experience has been wonderful, overwhelming in a positive way, and a huge blessing for my family and me. This program happened to us at exactly the right time. Thank you for all that you do!”
