Impact Health does not provide direct services. We develop innovative solutions that drive the integration of social and clinical care. Through Healthy Opportunities Pilot (HOP), we are working with more than 60 trusted community organizations to meet our region’s social health needs.
We are helping healthcare practices and community organizations work together to improve patient care in Western North Carolina (WNC). Our Impact Primary Care Network provides care management services that support the delivery of whole-patient care.
We are sharing our expertise in North Carolina and beyond through Impact Excellence. This support helps shorten the runway for others working to integrate social and clinical care at scale.
The Healthy Opportunities Pilot (HOP) program in North Carolina is evaluating the impact of providing evidence-based, nonmedical services to Medicaid members with significant physical and social health needs. The goal is to improve health by addressing the root causes of illness. Early findings indicate this approach reduces overall healthcare costs for pilot participants.
Impact Health oversees a network of more than 60 community-based organizations delivering pilot services in Western North Carolina (WNC). Pilot services are available at no cost to participants to help them meet housing, food, transportation, and personal safety needs. You can learn more about HOP at NC Medicaid’s website.
The Healthy Opportunities Pilot (HOP) program services are available to eligible NC Medicaid members living in a pilot region with at least one qualifying health condition and one social risk factor. To learn more, see Am I Eligible.
Medicaid provides health insurance for individuals and families who cannot afford healthcare costs. NC Medicaid pays for doctor visits, yearly check-ups, emergency care, dental care, and mental health services at little or no cost to members. People between the ages of 19 and 64 can get coverage through NC Medicaid if they live in North Carolina and meet income requirements. Proof of U.S. citizenship is required in some, but not all, cases.
North Carolina and the federal government fund NC Medicaid. Recently, North Carolina expanded eligibility to include people with higher incomes. More information on eligibility and how to apply is available at NC Medicaid.
Some NC Medicaid members also qualify for HOP services. To learn more, see Am I Eligible.
The Healthy Opportunities Pilot (HOP) program covers the following 18 WNC counties: Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Swain, Transylvania, and Yancey.
The Healthy Opportunities Pilot (HOP) program provides 29 evidence-based services to support critical social health needs. These nonmedical services help NC Medicaid members access nutritious food and safe housing. They also help participants access reliable transportation, personal safety, and healthy relationships. View the full list of services.
You can always direct them to wnc-hop.org or our helpline at 828-278-9900. We also have a variety of tools in English and Spanish to help you share Healthy Opportunities. Please review our outreach materials to see which best fit your needs.
We encourage you to explore these resources. You can also contact a trusted local organization like your public health department, school, or faith-based group.
We monitor our network to ensure pilot services are available across our region. We add new organizations as we identify a need. We also partner with community organizations to help us share Healthy Opportunities. If you want to participate in this innovative work, consider joining our network or partnering with us.
Social determinants of health (SDOH) are sometimes called social drivers of health or health-related social needs. These terms all refer to factors that affect our health but aren’t related to medical care. SDOH include access to healthy food, a good education, and economic opportunity. They also include reliable transportation, safe housing, and supportive relationships. Together, these factors account for 80 percent of health outcomes. Addressing them early can help prevent or better manage disease and other health problems.
Human service organizations (HSOs) are trusted community-based organizations contracted to provide pilot services. Impact Health works with more than 60 HSOs to deliver services across 18 counties in Western North Carolina (WNC). HSOs provide one or more pilot services related to food, housing, transportation, and personal safety. Most offer additional services outside of HOP. Many HSOs also screen community members for pilot eligibility. All HSOs bill Medicaid for pilot services with support from Impact Health.
NCCARE360 helps healthcare and human services organizations coordinate care. This secure online platform connects people with community resources across North Carolina. NCCARE360 is also used to screen NC Medicaid members for pilot eligibility. All HOP referrals are made through NCCARE360 to protect sensitive health information. Care managers track referrals to ensure participants’ needs are being met.
A clinically integrated network (CIN) is a group of healthcare providers that work together to deliver high-quality, affordable care. Impact Health created a Western North Carolina (WNC)-based CIN to support the integration of clinical and social care in our region. Our nonprofit network is physician-led. It aims to improve patient and population health through quality care management.
Impact Primary Care Network supports whole-person care through the Healthy Opportunities Pilot (HOP) program and Medicare’s Making Care Primary. Our network of trusted local human service organizations supports both initiatives.
Our team members are happy to help answer any questions you may have about our work and Healthy Opportunities in Western North Carolina. Here are a few ways to get in touch.
ASHEVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA (October 17, 2024) – Impact Health is pleased to announce it is one of five organizations in Western Nor...
ASHEVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA (October 17, 2024) – Impact Health is pleased to announce it is one of five organizations in Western Nor...
