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Digital Quality Measurement: A Key Driver to Value

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HMA Solutions

Digital Quality Measurement: A Key Driver to Value

The healthcare industry is on the cusp of a seismic shift in how quality data are collected, analyzed and reported. Beginning in January 2027, new federal interoperability and prior authorization rules will require widespread data exchange, paving the way for full digital quality measurement (dQM) by 2030. This move toward dQM presents enormous opportunity to enhance quality outcomes, strengthen value-based arrangements, and streamline operations. However, it also requires substantial strategic, operational, and technological changes that most organizations simply cannot manage alone.

Regulatory Mandates

Organizations that delay preparing for the 2027 rule risk costly setbacks and non-compliance.

Opportunity for Transformation

dQM drives efficiency and quality improvement, supporting population health initiatives, care coordination, and value-based contracting.

Complexity and Risk

dQM implementation spans multiple departments鈥擨T, quality improvement, analytics, legal, and more鈥攃reating a host of challenges requiring specialized expertise.

Competitive Advantage

Early adopters will have a first mover advantage. This advantage could result in revenue associated with auto-assignment, STARS bonus, value-based purchasing, reduced sanctions and fine, etc.

Why Partner with HMA?

HMA鈥檚 dQM consulting team understands the operational, clinical, and technical dimensions of transitioning to digital quality measurement. Leveraging deep expertise across health plans, provider organizations, and state and federal agencies, we help you plan, implement, and evaluate your dQM strategies at every stage.

1. Speed to Solution

Front-Seat Knowledge: HMA, together with Leavitt Partners, an HMA Company, is actively influencing and shaping national conversations on interoperability and digital measures. Our front-line insights mean you gain rapid access to the latest best practices, regulatory updates, and strategic guidance.
Streamlined Roadmap & Implementation: We help you develop a clear, achievable plan of action鈥攕aving you from the pitfalls of trial-and-error by fast-tracking your implementation and monitoring the results.

2. Cross-Department Coordination

Complexity of Transformation: dQM requires alignment across IT, quality, clinical operations, and finance鈥攐ften a monumental undertaking for organizations already at capacity. Robust change management & strategic planning and communications is crucial for success.
Meet Mandated Timelines: Waiting to act can result in financial risk, stressed operations, and missed opportunities to optimize reimbursement.
Manage Risk: Because digital quality measurement is in an emerging phase, organizations face higher levels of uncertainty. HMA mitigates risk by leveraging our extensive experience and industry partnerships.

3. Proven Expertise and Ongoing Support

Full Project Lifecycle: From early planning and strategy development through implementation and evaluation, we stand by you every step of the way.
Value Beyond Compliance: Our team identifies how dQM can drive broader business goals鈥攊mproving population health, care coordination, and value-based contracting performance..

Ready to Transform Your Quality Measurement?

HMA鈥檚 expert consultants provide the advanced technical, business, and operational skills you need to succeed in today鈥檚 rapidly evolving regulatory landscape. Don鈥檛 let the complexity of dQM derail your strategic plans or burden your teams. With HMA as your partner, you can confidently navigate and optimize your transition to digital quality measurement.

Take the first step toward harnessing the power of digital quality measurement. Partner with HMA to position your organization for success today鈥攁nd well into the future.

Contact our HMA dQM experts to discuss your organization鈥檚 goals and challenges:

Jeff Booth

Principal

Cameron Graham

Senior Consultant

Ryan Howells

Principal

Caprice Knapp

Managing Director, Quality and Accreditation

Mark Marciante

Director

Sarah Scholle

Principal

Daniela Simpson

Senior Consultant II

David Wedemeyer

Principal

Supporting New York to improve reproductive health outcomes and equity

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HMA Solutions

Supporting New York to improve reproductive health outcomes and equity

New York healthcare providers and community-based organizations will have new opportunities to use state funding to strengthen reproductive healthcare infrastructure and improve the quality of maternity care. Governor Hochul鈥檚 proposed FY 2025 budget includes funding to increase access to comprehensive reproductive healthcare, and capital investment for renovations, equipment upgrades, planning, and construction, to help facilities modernize and secure their operations. The proposed budget also provides flexible funding streams for services and increased reimbursement for hospitals that meet new maternal health quality metrics.

HMA can help your organization

Strategically seek funding to meet your goals and increase access to services

Develop successful grant applications that position your organization for long-term success and sustainability in New York鈥檚 transforming publicly financed healthcare environment

Implement new programs and services and measure their impact and value

Improve the quality and accessibility of services you offer.

Identify potential partners with whom to collaborate to expand new and existing services

Anticipated opportunities include:

Proposed in Governor鈥檚 Budget	Opportunity Summary
Safety Net Transformation Program Funding	Would dedicate additional funding to support partnerships between safety-net hospitals and other healthcare organizations.
Reproductive Freedom and Equity Grant Funding	Would distribute $25 million in funding for the program with focus on strengthening access to comprehensive reproductive care.
Strengthening of Reproductive Healthcare Infrastructure	Would invest an additional $5 million in the Reproductive Freedom and Equity Grant Fund and security grant funding to expand capital investment support for providers; enables renovations, equipment upgrades, planning and construction to help facilities modernize and secure their operations.
Fair reimbursement for Abortion Services	Would invest an additional $20 million to enhance a new flexible funding stream to allow providers to better adapt to the impact of the incoming federal administration and ensure that providers are fairly reimbursed for providing abortions.
Safeguarding of Abortion as Emergency Medical Care	Codifies abortion as protected emergency medical care in New York State and requires hospitals to provide this stabilizing emergency medical care, reinforcing access to abortion services when medically necessary.
Increase in Hospital Reimbursement for High-quality Maternity Care	Increases Medicaid rates for hospitals that meet maternal healthcare quality metrics.
Expansion of Medicaid Coverage for Fertility Treatment	Extends coverage for fertility preservation services to Medicaid members undergoing medical treatments that may lead to infertility and expands eligibility for the Infertility Reimbursement Program.

HMA鈥檚 nationwide team of experts include:

Former state directors of Title X, Title V Maternal and Child Health programs, and the Children鈥檚 Health Insurance Program (CHIP)

Former senior officials from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and the Health Resources and Services Administration

Advocates and former leaders of community-based organizations, foundations, and other programs that support reproductive health

Clinicians with experience providing a full range of reproductive health services

Social workers and behavioral health professionals working to integrate approaches that address social and behavioral health needs

Program development, strategic planning, and technical assistance experts working to implement innovative models of perinatal care and policy change to address social and economic drivers of maternal health

Experts in value-based payment and operations related to innovative models of perinatal care from the payer and provider perspectives

Researchers and evaluators with extensive experience examining the implementation and impact of policy and operational changes

Our Maternal & Child Health Team at HMA

HMA bring together experts from a full spectrum of reproductive health services including policy, clinical, operations, and research. We work with clients to reach shared goals of supporting maternal and child health, expanding access to the full spectrum of reproductive health services, reducing high rates of maternal and infant mortality and morbidity, and addressing deep and persistent racial disparities in birth outcomes and the inequities that drive them. We help clients stay ahead of the curve in publicly funded healthcare by providing technical assistance, resources, decision support and expertise.

Contact our experts:

Heidi Arthur

Principal

Heidi Arthur has over 20 years of experience in delivery system redesign to promote community-based access to health and human … Read more

Jodi Pekkala

Principal

Jodi Pekkala is an experienced health care quality measurement and improvement researcher and consultant with over 15 years dedicated to … Read more

Diana Rodin

Associate Principal

Diana Rodin has more than 15 years of experience conducting policy analysis and program evaluations, providing technical assistance and developing … Read more

Caroline (Carrie) Rosenzweig

Principal

Carrie Rosenzweig is an experienced consultant specializing in health policy analysis, qualitative research, grant writing, and project management. Her research … Read more

Sharon Silow-Carroll

Principal

Sharon Silow-Carroll specializes in health policy research and analysis. She has more than 25 years of experience collaborating with public … Read more

Kate Washburn

Associate Principal

Kate Washburn is a public health and program leader with over 20 years of experience in both public health departments … Read more

Elizabeth Wolff

Principal

Elizabeth Wolff, MD, MPA is a physician executive who utilizes her expertise in population聽health, quality improvement, and practice operations to … Read more

HMA can help your community prioritize and plan Opioid Settlement Fund expenditures

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HMA partners with state, county, and local government entities nationwide to strategically allocate opioid settlement funds, driving impactful solutions for opioid use disorder (OUD) and overdose prevention. Through collaboration with policymakers, engaged stakeholders, and community members, we help clients develop funding priorities that enhance public health outcomes and improve quality of life. Our team has extensive experience working with counties across the U.S. to design and implement effective OUD programs. By fostering partnerships with clients, community advisory boards, and local organizations, we co-create community engagement strategies, tools, and plans that ensure meaningful participation in decision-making and sustainable program success.

We have a successful track record developing strategic expenditure plans for opioid abatement settlement funds that align with key funding priorities to drive measurable improvements in quality of life for individuals experiencing OUD and to implement effective overdose prevention initiatives.

How HMA can help

Community-Driven Fund Allocation 鈥� Effective use of opioid settlement funds depends on robust community engagement and feedback, ensuring investments align with local needs and priorities.

Expert Facilitation of Consensus Building 鈥� HMA鈥檚 unique ability to navigate complex community dynamics enables us to diffuse tensions, validate diverse perspectives, and drive stakeholder alignment for impactful decision-making.

Data-Backed Strategic Planning 鈥� Our comprehensive data collection and analysis identify persistent challenges, best practices, and targeted actions across the continuum of care (prevention, intervention, and treatment), culminating in a final report that informs sustainable solutions.

Elevating Community Voices 鈥� We prioritize the insights of individuals with lived experience, healthcare providers, and tribal partners to ensure funding priorities reflect the real needs of those affected by OUD.

Blueprint for Sustainable Impact 鈥� The expenditure plan serves as a strategic manual for the effective use of opioid settlement funds, integrating state requirements with community-driven priorities to maximize long-term success.

OUR EXPERTISE

With deep expertise in opioid settlement fund expenditure planning and a proven track record of success, HMA is uniquely positioned to help organizations nationwide design and implement effective OUD programs. Our team brings unparalleled experience in strategic planning, community engagement, and policy development, ensuring that funding is maximized for sustainable impact. We leverage strong partnerships and customized engagement strategies to drive data-driven, community-centered decision-making.

For recent examples of our work:

Lake County, California

Cabbarus County, North Carolina

Contact our experts:

Charles Robbins

Principal

Charles Robbins has been transforming communities for the past three decades. His extensive community-based organization career spans healthcare, child welfare, … Read more

Devon Schechinger

Senior Consultant

Devon Schechinger is a leader with extensive experience driving impactful change in behavioral health, housing, public policy, and state and … Read more

Increasing the Cultural and Linguistic Accessibility of Services

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HMA Solutions

Increasing the Cultural and Linguistic Accessibility of Services

in Health and Healthcare frame how to improve healthcare quality and reduce disparities through a whole-person approach. Implementation of the CLAS standards demonstrates respect for individuals and responsiveness to their health needs, cultural beliefs and practices, preferred languages, and other communication needs. These standards guide the provision of high-quality care to people from all cultures and backgrounds, as well as persons with disabilities and rural populations. The 15 CLAS standards focus on governance, leadership, workforce, communication, language access, engagement, continuous improvement and accountability.

Quality

Provide services that are responsive to diverse backgrounds across the US

Equity

Reduce persistent health disparities experienced by racial, ethnic, linguistic, sexual, and gender minorities; persons with disabilities; and rural populations

Experiences of Care

Respect the whole individual and respond to the individual鈥檚 health needs and preferences

Cost

Reduce total cost of care by addressing health disparities

WHY CARE ABOUT CLAS?

In 2022, Forbes reported that health inequities cost the US health system $320 billion now and could reach $1 trillion by 2040

What We Do

Our experts work with states, Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHC), behavioral health organizations, health systems and providers, health plans, and public health organizations to develop CLAS programs, assess gaps in the cultural and linguistic accessibility of services across a system, and provide tailored technical assistance and trainings. Adherence to CLAS standards is required by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) for initiatives like the CCBHC model due to its positive impact on programming, outcomes, and disparity reduction.

Our CLAS Work

Indiana Statewide Evaluation of Community Mental Health Center (CMHC) CLAS Compliance

HMA completed a comprehensive assessment of Indiana鈥檚 24 CMHCs to evaluate the strengths and needs regarding CLAS standards. We provided coaching, technical assistance, and webinars to support the CMHCs to set goals, build action plans, operationalize CLAS standards, and align CCBHC demonstration preparation and CLAS efforts.

Delaware Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health (DSAMH) CLAS Training & Mini-Grants

HMA collaborated with DSAMH to develop a strategy to increase cultural responsiveness of substance use disorder (SUD) services. This included implementing a CLAS mini-grant program to provide technical assistance and training for SUD services. We developed and delivered a CLAS 鈥渢rain-the trainer鈥� curriculum for staff, focusing on culturally and linguistically responsive opioid use disorder (OUD) services for African American and Latine communities. We also created a CLAS standards assessment to frame community-based organization and provider improvement strategies.

CCBHC Transformation Projects Across the Country

Disparity reduction is key to the CCBHC model. Nationally, the HMA CLAS team offers technical assistance to states on how to embed CLAS standards into planning grant and demonstration grant applications. For states that have been awarded CCBHC funding, we can provide training on how to incorporate CLAS standards and disparity reduction strategies into various aspects of their operations. These include community needs assessments, advisory boards, policies and procedures, staff training, program operations, state administrative codes, quality improvement and assurance initiatives, as well as data collection and analysis processes.

Our CLAS Approach

HMA鈥檚 team tailors its support based on each client鈥檚 needs. HMA takes the following general approach to assess and implement CLAS standards:

Assess CLAS standard gaps at organization, system or state level focused on the three CLAS domains: Governance, Leadership and Workforce; Communication and Language Assistance; and Engagement, Continuous Improvement and Accountability

Provide tailored technical assistance and coaching to close gaps drawing on our team鈥檚 cultural and linguistic diversity and lived experiences with services that are inaccessible to persons with disabilities, as well as persons from racial, ethnic, linguistic, cultural, sexual, and gender minority groups

Design and facilitate training and webinars to address wide scale gaps. Webinar topics may include – using Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) processes to reduce disparities; increasing language access through translation and interpretation best practices; how to use community needs assessments to identify disparities; and structuring advisory boards for maximum impact

Assist programs and states in developing a CQI strategy to monitor and adjust initiatives to ensure CLAS and disparity reduction initiatives are making demonstrable change

Contact Our Experts:

Nora Carreras

Associate Principal

Nora Carreras is a proven leader and team builder with expertise in social determinants of health (SDOH) and non-profit management. … Read more

Carmen Daniels Jones

Principal

Carmen Daniels Jones is an accomplished executive with more than 15 years of experience working in the federal government, the … Read more

Rachel Johnson-Yates

Associate Principal

Rachel Johnson-Yates is a licensed mental health and addiction counselor, public speaker, and educator with a demonstrated track record of … Read more

Erica Reaves

Senior Consultant

For more than a decade, Erica L. Reaves has focused her career on expanding access to long-term services and supports … Read more

Leticia Reyes-Nash

Office Managing Principal

Leticia Reyes-Nash is an accomplished, innovative executive leader with 20 years of experience leading policy advocacy, projects, and community engagement, … Read more

Reem Sharaf

Senior Consultant

Reem Sharaf is a licensed clinical social worker and behavioral health leader with 15 years of experience in program development … Read more

Madeleine (Maddy) Shea

Principal

Maddy Shea has a passion for health equity and the federal, state and local cross-sectoral expertise to guide community health … Read more

Doris Tolliver

Managing Principal

Doris Tolliver is a strategic thinker specializing in racial and ethnic equity, organizational effectiveness, change management, and business strategy development. She … Read more

HMA works with states to add Respite Care programs

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Expanding access to medical respite care for individuals who are unhoused or have no stable housing and are too ill to be discharged to the streets but not sick enough to stay in the hospital and require some supports to recover from their illness or injury.

Medical respite, or recuperative care, according to the National Institute of Medical Respite Care (NIMRC) is 鈥渁n intervention that provides post-acute medical care for individuals experiencing homelessness who are not sick enough to warrant hospitalization, but who are too frail or ill to recover safely in a shelter or on the streets.鈥�

Respite care benefits both providers and patients and saves money. According to a , respite care results in a 24% reduction in Medicaid cost per enrollee, 30% decrease in hospital admissions, 38% reduction in emergency department visits, and a 92% attendance rate at follow up appointments within 30 days of hospital discharge.

Medical respite is not a housing service. Housing support services like housing stability, shelter, and supportive housing are critical components of the housing support system. Medical respite is the bridge and a safe transition from the medical care system back to the community and other needed services and supports. By providing a safe bed, clean restrooms, nursing assistance, and healthy meals, medical respite services can improve health outcomes and begin a process of addressing other critical health-related social needs, such as stable housing.

HMA offers a full suite of professional health and human services consulting services to organizations across the country. In Minnesota, HMA helped write the legislation that helped Minnesota Medicaid give coverage for respite care and has expertise in creating this model that can be used in other states. Many states lack this benefit and even in Minnesota, where it is now covered, there is a shortage of providers.

Project Spotlight: Minnesota Recuperative Care Benefit

THE TASK:

Legislation was passed requiring Minnesota鈥檚 Department of Human Services (DHS) to create a recuperative care benefit through Medicaid. Stakeholder engagement to discuss Medicaid options and to define the benefit. Recuperative Care was not well developed in MN and there were few beds operating in the state.

HOW WE HELPED:

HMA engaged interested individuals as guided by DHS. This included interviewing individuals with lived experience. Our Medicaid and recuperative care SMEs walked everyone through understanding the service and defining the service. In addition, we educated interested parties about the pathways in Medicaid including a state plan amendment and the various waiver options. The group came to consensus with DHS on a state plan amendment. HMA wrote the legislative language and report to support this direction.

THE OUTCOME:

The legislative language was approved. The state plan amendment was submitted and approved by CMS. Recuperative care is now a Medicaid benefit in Minnesota.

HMA can help states, providers, and communities create this benefit, implement effective respite services, and adapt the set of national standards for Medical Respite given your state and community needs including:

Safe and quality accommodations

Environmental services

Care transitions into medical respite from other settings

Access to high quality post-acute clinical care

Care coordination and wrap-around services

Safe care transitions out of medical respite to the community

Quality improvement

HMA can also provide technical assistance, help with alternate payment models, workforce and strategic planning to support respite care.

Contact our experts:

Tia Cintron

Managing Director, Housing and Health Solutions

Tia Cintron聽is a seasoned executive with over 35 years of experience in housing and healthcare. She has led impactful programs … Read more

Kenneth Cochran

Principal

Kenneth Cochran is a healthcare executive with more than 20 years leveraging his clinical, business and academic background to deliver … Read more

Paul Fleissner

Managing Principal

Working to integrate services across systems and communities, Paul Fleissner is a seasoned executive who has developed programs and policies … Read more

Margaret Kirkegaard

Principal

Dr. Margaret Kirkegaard has extensive front line experience and an impressive breadth of knowledge about healthcare and its delivery. A … Read more

HMA helps expand and support FQHCs across the country

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Community Health Centers (CHCs), also known as Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), are community-based health care providers that are vital lifelines in medically underserved areas.

Funded by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), they provide comprehensive primary and preventative care, dental services, mental health and substance use services, and supportive services like transportation and translation, for patients to access health care. In addition, we have supported more than 20 states to write their CCBHC planning grant applications to initiate a state-run CCBHC model. Most recently, we had 100% success rate for our FY23 planning grant applications, resulting in four states receiving one year planning grants to build a state-run CCBHC model.

FQHCs partner with HMA for expert guidance in strategic planning, board development, finance and operations, clinical improvement, understanding federal and state policy, advancing health equity, grant writing, community health needs assessment, expanding practice scopes, and executive coaching. HMA鈥檚 consultants bring extensive real-world and leadership experience and expertise working with FQHCs prior to joining HMA, offering FQHCs a range of services and support with:

Health equity initiatives
Financial reimbursement and diversification
Solutions for complex patient populations such as individuals who are uninsured, low health literacy, non-citizens, justice-involved, homeless
Responding to rapidly evolving Medicaid/Medicare policy
Addressing difficult workforce recruitment and retention efforts

In addition to working with FQHCs, HMA works collaboratively with multiple Primary Care Associations (PCAs) to leverage our expertise benefiting multiple FQHCs.

How HMA can help

HMA鈥檚 FQHC value-based payment team has extensive experience working with PCAs, Health Center Controlled Networks, and FQHCs to form integrated delivery systems focused on the Medicaid and Medicare populations to help them progress along the CMS Framework for Value鈥恇ased Payments commensurate with their readiness. Current and recent projects have included PCAs and FQHCs in New York, Illinois, Rhode Island, Oklahoma, Wisconsin, Missouri, North Carolina, Montana, and Indiana.

HMA Principal Art Jones, MD, MPH, was the architect of the first FQHC APM in the country that transitioned payment from fee-for-service to capitation. It was adopted by the FQHC he led as CEO and four other Chicago-area FQHCs in 2001. In 2017, HMA helped the Washington Health Care Authority, the Washington Primacy Care Association, and its FQHC members develop a capitated FQHC APM. Since then, HMA has worked with PCAs and FQHCs in New York, Illinois, Rhode Island, Oklahoma, Wisconsin, Missouri, North Carolina, Montana, and Indiana to develop their own capitated FQHC APMs.

HMA Principal Art Jones, MD, MPH, partnered with five Chicago area FQHCs and five hospitals to establish Medical Home Network in 2011, the prototype clinically integrated network focused on underserved communities. Driven to solve social drivers of health and seeking to demonstrate that in the safety net, technology can be deployed to deliver superior outcomes, the network has grown to include 14 FQHCs and three health systems with more than 180,000 Medicaid beneficiaries with delegated responsibility for care management and global risk. It supports 80 FQHCs in eight states in Medicare ACOs. Another HMA principal was CEO of one of the founding FQHCs at the network鈥檚 inception. This model has been replicated in other states to benefit communities of need.

FQHCs in some states receive general revenue funding to support operations. HMA has extensive experience with federal-directed payment program rules that can secure matching federal funds that at least double and sometimes as much triple total funding depending on the state鈥檚 federal match rate for Medicaid. Directed payment programs require a value-based payment component. HMA has worked with three state PCAs to develop their programs.

HMA consultants assist FQHCs and their clinically integrated networks in assessing the value-based payment arrangements being offered by managed care plans and proactively designing proposals to take to payers. In many cases, HMA joins in active negotiations with the payer.

HMA has several clinically licensed consultants with experience working at and with FQHCs in their pursuit of value-based care. This includes assisting in NCQA Patient-Centered Medical Home certification, implementing care management programs, and designing and implementing new clinical models of care made uniquely financially feasible under APMs.

HMA has several experienced consultants helping individual FQHCs, State PCAs, and FQHC-led clinically integrated networks with their strategic planning process.

HMA has consultants focused on helping providers, including FQHCs, improve their billing and collections systems to improve cash flow and revenue.

HMA experts are uniquely positioned to help FQHCs and other organizations develop strategies and write for New Access Point and Service Area Competitions.

We believe in a data-driven approach to drive actionable insights. We start with an efficient assessment of your current state and prepare a roadmap for success. After our thorough and rapid assessment, our consultants work with your organization on any aspect of implementation to ensure a sustainable, high-performing empanelment environment that drives operational quality and optimizes
current and future revenue streams. A high-performing empanelment environment leads to optimized PCP continuity of care, accountable PCP and care teams driving clinical quality improvement, readily available appointment slots, and patient retention and productivity goals.

No matter the size, HMA empowers FQHCs to thrive in an ever-changing healthcare landscape. With deep expertise at every level, HMA teams partner with FQHCs nationally to address a wide range of operational challenges, including designing innovative school-based care, and expanding community health centers, optimizing scheduling and empanelment, integrating behavioral health care and strategically adopting telehealth solutions, we help FQHCs seize opportunities. Our experience extends to selecting and implementing cutting-edge IT systems for population health management, optimizing participation in the 340B program, and maximizing workforce capacity. HMA is dedicated to ensuring that FQHCs deliver exceptional care to those who need it most.

State PCAs frequently ask HMA to speak on various value-based payment-related topics at annual conferences.

Project Spotlight

Community Health Center, New York

HMA assisted the community health center in creating its strategic approach to value-based care. The project included analysis of current clinical and financial performance under managed care arrangements, workforce optimization, and opportunities to identify shared savings on total cost of care.

Health Center Strategic Planning, California

HMA worked with the board of directors, community stakeholders, clinicians, and staff to create a theory of change and then identify internal and external opportunities for expansion, quality improvement, and financial growth.

Community Health Center Service Area Competition (SAC) Grant, Ohio

HMA supported a CHC in completing its needs assessment and writing its SAC grant.

PACE readiness, Illinois

HMA consulted with an FQHC in Illinois to analyze, plan for, and apply to open a Program for All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) focused on the Latinx population.

Learn more about our work

WITH PROVIDER ORGANIZATIONS

with GRANT WRITING

Contact our experts:

Warren J. Brodine

Managing Director, Delivery Systems

Warren Brodine partners with communities, federally qualified health centers (FQHCs), and payors to deliver optimal patient and community outcomes, supporting … Read more

Melissa Corrado

Principal

Melissa Corrado offers a powerful blend of program development, training and implementation expertise to HMA clients. Prior to joining HMA, … Read more

Iliana Gilman

Principal

Committed to health equity, Iliana Gilman has a proven track record of increasing patient access, fortifying cross-sector partnerships and coalition … Read more

Art Jones

Principal

Art Jones, MD, has 27 years of experience as a primary care physician and chief executive officer (CEO) at a … Read more

Jill Kemper

Associate Principal

Jill Kemper has extensive experience improving access to care and care delivery, especially for vulnerable or complex patient populations and … Read more

Margaret Kirkegaard

Principal

Dr. Margaret Kirkegaard has extensive front line experience and an impressive breadth of knowledge about healthcare and its delivery. A … Read more

Greg Vachon

Principal

Dr. Greg Vachon brings a wide range of experiences to consulting engagements providing expertise, insightful analysis, innovative solutions and effective … Read more

Housing services and supports are critical to the mission of improving health for all Americans

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Homelessness in America has hit a record high and housing instability is widespread. Millions of Americans are vulnerable to inadequate housing and half of all U.S. renters are spending far more than the recommended 33% of their income on rent.

For many Americans, housing costs are out of reach, as 13 of the 20 largest occupations in the U.S. pay less than the housing wage. This housing crisis is impacting overall health and well-being and utilization of healthcare. Individuals and families struggling with homelessness often experience lower infant birthweights, mental health challenges, chronic disease, and higher mortality.

HMA works at the intersection of housing and healthcare in a variety of ways, including policy, programs, financing, and evaluation. A safe and secure place to live is fundamental to all of the healthcare and human services work we do at HMA. Our experts have developed and worked within programs in public housing authorities, hospital housing partnerships, shelters and transitional housing, post-incarceration transition and 1115 waiver supports, rural housing, and other housing supports.

HMA experts are former state and local public health leaders, directors of community-based organizations, and former senior officers from key federal agencies, setting us apart from other consulting companies.

We understand the complexity of designing and implementing change beyond the theoretical level – we have walked in the shoes of our clients and understand how to provide insight that is meaningful, actionable, and realistic.

Organizations we support

Federal, state and local government agencies

Managed Care Organizations

Public Housing Authorities

Community-based health/behavioral health and human service organizations

Provider organizations (FQHCs, CCBHCs)

Schools and universities

Departments of behavioral and public health

Healthcare systems and providers

Philanthropic organizations

Jails and correctional facilities

We Help Our Clients

Transform their community鈥檚 response to homelessness

Improve local housing delivery systems

Facilitate new or expanded community partnerships

Address systemic barriers

Build capacity of local partners and resources

Help with targeted impact improvements

Scale interventions to match resources and need

Increasing system capacity

Provide management tools for improved decision making

Planning and implementation support for continuum of homeless services

Affordable housing needs assessment

Consultation on shelter and outreach team best practices

Project Spotlight

The problem:
With new funding available and a homelessness crisis growing more acute, the JOHS requested an evaluation of the department鈥檚 effectiveness and barriers, as well as the governance model over all homelessness response functions.

How we helped:
HMA conducted a discovery process consisting of 40 stakeholder interviews with local elected officials, County and department staff, and contracted service providers. We also reviewed key contracts, policies and procedures, and other foundational documents; and completed a summary of national best practices to inform future program development. This resulted in a summary of gaps, opportunities and recommendations that HMA presented to a joint meeting of County and City Commissioners, and HMA continues to assist in implementation

The outcome:
HMA presented leaders with findings and recommendations, including reforms to provider payment, system governance, inter-agency partnerships and more). Subsequent contracted initiatives to support implementation include the renegotiation of an Inter-Governmental Agreement and action plans to improve to the shelter system and street outreach systems.

The problem:
Tens of thousands of residents of HUD assisted senior housing in California are dually eligible for Medicaid and Medicare and have complex medical, behavioral health, and health-related social needs. Affordable housing developers, owners and operators do not have financing to enhance resident supports to prevent homelessness, avoidable hospitalizations, or institutional care transitions. While evidence shows that Medicaid, Medicare and D-SNP plans and healthcare providers would reduce avoidable inpatient and urgent care costs from enhanced resident services, mechanisms to partner with housing organizations have been elusive due to different incentive structures, infrastructure, and cultures in each sector.

How we helped:
Through contracts with LeadingAge California, HMA supported California housing organizations to develop a compelling value proposition for strategic discussions with payers, providers, and foundations. HMA is developing a financing plan and gap analysis to braid and blend Medicaid, Medicare, D-SNP, workforce, behavioral health, and other funding streams to sustainably support enhanced services provided by trusted, culturally and linguistically responsive on-site service coordinators.

The outcome:
California DHHS and Department of Aging leadership endorsed the goals of the CICH model and are guiding next steps to develop the infrastructure and braided/blended financing plans. Two health plans in southern California are interested to partner in piloting the model.

The problem:
Housing and community development organizations are trusted resources in low-income rural and urban communities across the US; and they were instrumental during COVID in engaging high-risk communities in prevention activities. While housing and community development organizations are a natural place for successful CHW programs, most CHW models and training programs have been developed for healthcare organization environments.

How we helped:
HMA co-led a cohort of NeighborWorks network organizations to co-design three housing and community-development organization-centered CHW program models and a toolkit covering every element of standing up and sustaining a CHW program within housing and community development structures, values, and resources. We provided coaching and technical assistance to learning cohort participants to test toolkit components.

The outcome:
Web-based toolkit

The problem:
The organization has requested assistance with establishing healthcare partnerships, designing health care services to meet resident health needs in each affordable housing development, and identifying opportunities to expand health and wellness services.

How we are helping:
HMA is providing guidance in service planning, partnerships, resources, budgeting, and strategies. This may include identification of potential health care partners, design of the health care model, assistance with budgeting for health care service costs, and other consultation as requested.

The outcome:
HMA presented leadership with insight on how to expand embedded health services to optimize resident health across their housing portfolio, assisted with the design of health care services, and helped to build healthcare partnerships.

Our HMA experts are ready to help your organization support your communities.

Contact our experts:

Boyd Brown

Associate Principal

Boyd Brown is a seasoned policy and operational leader in behavioral health, housing and homelessness, and human service operations including … Read more

Kirsten Bryan

Senior Consultant

Kirsten Bryan is an experienced project manager, urban planner and consultant with expertise supporting diverse, complex projects spanning social determinants … Read more

Michael Butler

Associate Principal

Michael Butler is an experienced strategist and evaluator working across a wide array of health and human service sectors including … Read more

Tia Cintron

Managing Director, Housing and Health Solutions

Tia Cintron聽is a seasoned executive with over 35 years of experience in housing and healthcare. She has led impactful programs … Read more

Anthony Federico

Senior Consultant

For 15 years, Anthony Federico has worked in housing, homelessness, and healthcare across the government, community-based organization (CBO), and consulting … Read more

Paul Fleissner

Managing Principal

Working to integrate services across systems and communities, Paul Fleissner is a seasoned executive who has developed programs and policies … Read more

Dena Hasan

Associate Principal

Dena Hasan is a forward-thinking executive with over 20 years of experience in public and private sector healthcare and social … Read more

Trish Marsik

Principal

Trish Marsik has extensive experience supporting providers, healthcare organizations, and local and state governments to improve behavioral health services, including … Read more

Charles Robbins

Principal

Charles Robbins has been transforming communities for the past three decades. His extensive community-based organization career spans healthcare, child welfare, … Read more

Madeleine (Maddy) Shea

Principal

Maddy Shea has a passion for health equity and the federal, state and local cross-sectoral expertise to guide community health … Read more

Nicholas Williams

Associate Principal

Nicholas Williams is a social sector leader, analyst, writer, and consultant with extensive experience and proven results in academic, business, … Read more

HMA fosters harm reduction from street to suite

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HMA鈥檚 trusted experts have a wealth of harm reduction experience, from training volunteers for community outreach to managing state procurement processes for harm reduction tools, to policy analyses at all levels of government.

Our consultants have worked with stakeholders of all walks of life including people with lived and living experience of drug use, sex work, and homelessness. In fact, we believe in talking to them first to understand local needs and feasible solutions.

What is harm reduction?

The term 鈥渉arm reduction鈥� is often used to describe:

provision of risk reduction tools, like condoms, naloxone, and sterile syringes;

approach of meeting people where they are and supporting them at their own pace, without judgement, to pursue self-determined goals; and,

philosophy that promotes equitable access to resources for people who use drugs and struggle to meet basic needs due to the impact of social structures.

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) defines harm reduction as a practical and transformative approach that incorporates community-driven public health strategies 鈥� including prevention, risk reduction, and health promotion 鈥� to empower people who use drugs and their families with the choice to live healthier, self-directed, and purpose-filled lives.

The President鈥檚 National Drug Control Strategy is the first-ever to champion harm reduction to meet people where they are and engage them in care and services.

People are dying from drug overdose at an alarming rate in the U.S. For the fourth year in a row, we have lost over 100,000 people (enough to fill the University of Michigan stadium). Many of these deaths are preventable. Harm reduction interventions proven to stop overdose deaths include making the overdose reversal drug naloxone available to all at risk of overdose, reducing barriers to medications that treat opioid use disorder, and providing supervised drug consumption services for rapid overdose response. Moreover, successful harm reduction programs rely on reducing the stigma of drug use and people who have an addiction.

How HMA can help

Harm reduction is more than handing out naloxone or syringes; it’s a nonjudgemental approach that affirms participant autonomy and engages people in care over the long term.

Here are just a few services HMA can offer to help clients establish, expand, or improve services for people who use drugs, respond to overdose and infectious disease syndemics (combinations of two or more diseases or health conditions that interact within a population, often due to social and structural factors and inequities), and prevent the next drug crisis.

HMA provides training and technical assistance to a range of clients 鈥� from community-based organizations conducting outreach, to medical providers wishing to better serve their patients, to large hospital systems wishing to incorporate drug user health into their systems. HMA can:

Plan, coordinate and evaluate learning collaboratives.
Provide 1-1 coaching to staff and teams.
Produce and implement industry-specific toolkits aimed at reducing overdose, like for construction businesses, restaurants or harm reduction vending machines.
Train different audiences and teams, including youth treatment providers, primary care settings, and carceral settings, on harm reduction.
Support startup of new naloxone distribution and/or syringe services programs and develop capacity building plans for program growth.
Improve access to medications for opioid use disorder.

A quality improvement (QI) strategy is vital for healthcare organizations to maximize patient outcomes and satisfaction, achieve efficiency, and ensure compliance with regulations. HMA can:

Apply established QI models to increase reach of harm reduction and drug user health services within community-based programs, government agencies, and provider programs and systems.
Plan, assess, and evaluate QI efforts.
Increase team buy-in for harm reduction as a QI initiative.
Provide QI tools such as rapid assessment participant surveys, risk screeners, provider checklists, and guides.

Many funding opportunities require (or can benefit from) a detailed assessment of the community鈥檚 need for the services being funded. Our experts can help gather both quantitative data and qualitative stakeholder input to ensure that the client鈥檚 proposed plan targets the populations, communities, and gaps in service for which resources will be most impactful. HMA can:

Conduct interviews and focus groups with people who use drugs and the service providers they interact with to identify local needs and solutions.
Assess and predict drug user health syndemics using infectious disease and overdose metrics.
Demonstrate trends among diverse populations, including youth and racial, ethnic, sexual, and gender minorities .
Guide efforts to integrate harm reduction into a broader continuum of care, including prevention and treatment interventions.

The legal landscape related to drug use varies across communities and does not always facilitate a public health approach. HMA can:

Identify policy options and facilitate choice of the most effective and feasible one for the client鈥檚 local context.
Evaluate new or existing policies that impact people who use drugs such as Good Samaritan laws, opioid treatment program regulations, and criminal charges.
Apply statistical methods to policy evaluation such as time-interrupted analysis.

Multi-sector collaboration is essential to develop sustainable, impactful solutions to reduce physical and structural harms related to drug use. HMA can:

for expansion of behavioral health treatment and overdose prevention approaches such as safer supply.
Design social media campaigns that center the voices of people most impacted by overdose.
Strategize, create, and plan marketing and communications campaigns for harm reduction, stigma reduction, or program promotion.
Facilitate and multi-sector alliances to generate and implement strategies for policy change.
Build harm reduction resource libraries for stakeholder use.

HMA consultants work with clients to review program efficacy and cost efficiency based on process, outcomes, costs and more, considering quantitative and qualitative data sources and using data-driven tools to assess and measure impact. HMA can:

Conduct environmental scans of jurisdictional resources to highlight opportunities for and threats to harm reduction programs .
Build maps that overlay various metrics of drug user health, including infectious disease burden, overdose, and socio-economic indicators.
Map overdose fatality and naloxone saturation to prioritize distribution efforts in areas of high-need.
Conduct regression analysis to identify risk profiles and predictive values to evaluate impact.

Project Spotlight

COMPASSIONATE OVERDOSE RESPONSE SUMMIT

Contact our experts:

Anika Alvanzo

Principal

Dr. Anika Alvanzo is a distinguished healthcare executive with over 20 years of experience in specialty addiction treatment, behavioral health … Read more

Jennifer Bridgeforth

Associate Principal

Jennifer Bridgeforth is a dedicated executive with more than 17 years of experience in the healthcare industry. She is a … Read more

Ana Bueno

Senior Consultant

Ana Paola Bueno is an accomplished nonprofit professional with more than 16 years of senior level experience in the state … Read more

Mayur Chandriani

Senior Consultant

An experienced non-profit manager, Mayur Chandriani is committed to programs focused on immigrant healthcare, maternal and child health and community … Read more

Tricia Christensen

Senior Consultant

Tricia Christensen is a harm reduction and drug policy expert focused on high impact relationship building and policy change to … Read more

Liddy Garcia-Bunuel

Principal

Liddy Garcia-Bu帽uel has the vision, passion and expertise to effect organizational and systematic change. She takes a collaborative approach. She … Read more

Rachel LaFlame

Research Associate

Rachel LaFlame, MPH, is a driven, early career professional interested in the intersection of public health and policy. She is … Read more

Nicole Lovitch

Research Associate

Nicole Lovitch is a skilled generalist researcher in the public health and healthcare space. Prioritizing partnerships that bridge gaps between … Read more

Trish Marsik

Principal

Trish Marsik has extensive experience supporting providers, healthcare organizations, and local and state governments to improve behavioral health services, including … Read more

John O鈥機onnor

Managing Director

John O鈥機onnor is a seasoned executive with extensive management, program, strategy, media, fundraising and advocacy experience in dynamic foundation, corporate … Read more

Charles Robbins

Principal

Charles Robbins has been transforming communities for the past three decades. His extensive community-based organization career spans healthcare, child welfare, … Read more

Deborah Rose

Associate Principal

Dr. Deborah Rose is a licensed clinical psychologist with demonstrated success designing and scaling new behavioral health initiatives. She has … Read more

Erin Russell

Principal

Erin Russell is a dedicated harm reduction expert with an unwavering commitment to public health and equity. Prior to joining … Read more

Kate Washburn

Associate Principal

Kate Washburn is a public health and program leader with over 20 years of experience in both public health departments … Read more

Chris Wilks

Senior Consultant

Chris Wilks is a senior consultant for HMA. She manages long-term research projects and works closely with clients and project … Read more

Emily Wilson

Associate Principal

A multi-disciplinary public health leader, Emily Wilson is passionate about bringing people together to solve the most pressing problems in … Read more

HMA helps Justice Involved/Behavioral Health services implement the Sequential Intercept Model (SIM)

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The Sequential Intercept Model (SIM) provides a framework to help local governments divert individuals with behavioral health issues from the criminal justice system into community resources.

The model serves communities by helping them identify opportunities for diversion programs, known as 鈥渋ntercepts鈥�, with the highest potential for success based on community strengths and needs. Created by Policy Research Associates in 2004 and promoted by SAMHSA鈥檚 GAINS Center, SIM identifies critical diversion points tailored to each community’s strengths and needs.

Key Benefits of Implementing SIM

Guides ongoing stakeholder meetings and county programming by establishing a common language for justice and diversion programs to support sustainability and adaptability over time.

Supports community analysis and integration of new policies by providing a clear visualization of system resources and gaps.

Facilitates collaboration and ensure efficient use of resources by enhancing communication and relationships across systems.

Collects local data for system analysis to identify grant opportunities and funding for critical intercept program development.

Development of a SIM report that highlights current state, gap, and opportunities for improvement.

Educates county leaders on best practices to help assess new programs and identify areas for improvement.

Addressing Community Challenges

SIM supports development of community prevention programs that lower the chance of initial involvement into criminal justice for many, helping provide the needed level of treatment support. The framework further allows jurisdictions to develop meaningful and effective programs to address issues faced by justice-involved individuals, such as unstable housing and income, high overdose risks, and the impact of evolving policies. Many existing programs lack sustainability due to reliance on temporary funding, and traditional planning has been reactive rather than proactive. SIM offers a comprehensive framework for communities to support individuals with behavioral health issues, improving safety and resource efficiency.

HMA’s services include:

Facilitating stakeholder meetings and data collection.
Mapping current systems and identifying key intercepts.
Developing SIM reports to highlight gaps and opportunities.

Leading strategic planning for program development.
Setting measurable goals and evaluation plans.

If you are ready to talk about implementing a SIM and the next steps for your organization, reach out to our experts today.

Contact our experts:

Jessica Perillo

Senior Consultant

Jessica Perillo is a driven healthcare professional with extensive experience in the behavioral health, public health and public safety fields. … Read more

HMA helps organizations prioritize, identify, win, and implement grant funding

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Grants from both government and foundations can be an essential component of a provider鈥檚 growth strategy. Every year billions of dollars are distributed to support program growth, quality improvement, training, and other essential needs. HMA works with a wide variety of healthcare clients, including Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), community-based organizations, hospitals, provider practices, behavioral health, and managed care organizations.

How HMA can help

is a subscription service that provides clients with a customized and curated list of grant opportunities. Finding the right opportunities and applying for grants that are aligned with your organization鈥檚 strategic growth interests can be an essential catalyst for organizational development, service continuum growth, and quality improvements. HMA鈥檚 Grant Prospector monitors over 200 government agencies and nearly 100 foundations and sends appropriate opportunities to subscribers weekly.

HMA鈥檚 experience has taught us that grants can be a wonderful way to grow an organization if (and only if) the organization is strategic about what grants it pursues and what services it uses grant funding to build. Your strategy should guide your grant pursuits, not the other way around. HMA can help your organization devise a strategy for organizational growth using grants as a catalyst for long-term sustainability.

HMA鈥檚 deep pool of grant writers enables us to assign teams with precision, ensuring our clients have access to specific relevant expertise. HMA鈥檚 grant writing services are most valuable when a provider needs help designing a program model, complying with complex grant requirements, and navigating strategic challenges in grant writing.

During the 2023 round of CCBHC expansion grants, HMA clients invested $956,000 in HMA grant-writing support. Those clients won 20 awards totaling $80,000,000, for a return on investment of 8,272%.

For clients who prefer to write their own grants, HMA can provide subject matter expertise to enable strategic decision-making and program design. HMA consultants can join early calls to help the client design a program model that complies with the grant requirements, ensures operational sustainability, and addresses the complexities of the procurement.

For clients who prefer to write their own grant applications, HMA can provide a mock scoring service. HMA鈥檚 reviewers provide a detailed review and score for the submission, enabling the client to identify any place where points are likely to be deducted. We advise sending a draft to HMA at least a week or two before the application is due so that HMA鈥檚 feedback can be integrated before submission.

Many grant applications require a detailed assessment of the community鈥檚 need for the services being funded. Our experts can help gather both quantitative data and qualitative stakeholder input to ensure that the client鈥檚 grant application targets the populations, communities, and gaps in service for which grant funds will be most impactful.

HMA鈥檚 accounting and actuarial colleagues can provide budget and cost report development support when the demands of a grant application outstrip the capabilities and/or bandwidth of the client鈥檚 finance team.

Many grants come with complex implementation and reporting challenges. HMA鈥檚 experts have the benefit of the experience of hundreds of grant implementations, which enables us to help our clients comply with myriad implementation and reporting requirements. HMA鈥檚 project managers help our clients ensure that grants get implemented on time, on budget, and in compliance with funders鈥� requirements.

HMA has a team of experienced program evaluators who help our clients implement with fidelity, assess impact and outcomes, and comply with grant evaluation requirements. Our evaluators are facile with program outcome data as well as the demands of rigorous stakeholder input.

fundraising resources

more grant funding insights from hma

Reach out to our experts for more information on how HMA can help your organization鈥檚 grant and funding strategies.

Contact our experts:

Principal

Associate Principal

Principal

Vice President, Client Solutions

HMA knows rural.

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Some live in rural areas in the U.S. Many rural residents must navigate healthcare system challenges people living in urban and suburban areas generally do not face. Developing and supporting rural health programs requires understanding the unique characteristics of rural settings and how these dynamics influence healthcare policy, providers, payers, consumers, and health equity.

HMA understands the multilevel challenges for delivery of quality healthcare and social services to rural populations. From workforce concerns to access issues such as lack of services, transportation difficulties, and socio-economic barriers, we know the difficulties that often keep rural providers and organizations from achieving their full potential to serve and support their communities鈥� needs.

Changing dynamics in many rural areas also create the need for building awareness and understanding of issues of equity and reducing disparities and how to effectively address them in rural communities. HMA has the hands-on knowledge for practical solutions.

HMA brings together industry-leading policy, program, financial, community, and clinical experts to provide comprehensive solutions that make healthcare and human services work better for people living in rural and frontier areas across the country. With deep experience and through skilled analysis, guidance and technical know-how, our consultants help a wide range of clients successfully navigate the healthcare space. Our team is more than 900 members strong and growing, with expertise that spans the healthcare industry and stretches across the nation.

We offer a full suite of professional health and human services consulting services to clients serving rural and frontier communities, such as:

Critical Access and PPS Hospitals

Federally Qualified Health Centers, Rural Health Clinics, & Provider Practice Groups

Health Plans

National, Regional and Statewide Associations

Federal, State, & Local Governments

Tribal nations & Tribal Health Organizations

Community Based Organizations

Foundations

Our national, multisector, multisystem experience in healthcare and human services enhances our ability to support rural clients in making sustainable, positive impacts in their local communities. Whether your project has run into a snag in the final stages or hasn鈥檛 even gotten off the ground, we can provide the expertise and guidance to help you make it a success.

Our areas of expertise include:

Analytics

Behavioral Health

Care Integration

Clinical Services

Community Strategies

Crisis Systems & 988

Government Programs & the Uninsured

Healthcare Actuarial Services

Healthcare Delivery Development & Redesign

Healthcare IT Advisory Services

Investment Services

Justice-Involved Healthcare

Long-Term Services & Supports

Managed Care

Opioid Crisis Response

Public Health

Quality and Accreditation Services

Value-Based Care

Workforce development

PROJECT SPOTLIGHT

Health Equity & Access for Rural Dually Eligible Individuals (HEARD) Toolkit

With funding from Arnold Ventures, HMA created the HEARD Toolkit, a robust discussion of the access challenges facing dually eligible individuals in rural areas and a portfolio of actionable solutions to address these challenges. Dually eligible individuals in rural areas reside at the intersection of a major public health crisis and a fragmented Medicaid and Medicare delivery system. They experience poor access to services and to integrated care programs (ICPs) to address their whole person needs.

HMA designed this Toolkit to help policymakers address access issue dually eligible individuals in rural areas have to navigate every day. For example, addressing access must encompass getting to a comprehensive Medicaid and Medicare services continuum that includes home- and community-based services (HBCS), as well as ICPs. A primary focus on equity can help states, local communities, payers, and providers begin to address issues of access for these very vulnerable individuals in rural communities. The Toolkit provides examples and ideas for rural providers and communities to address equity and improve services and supports for dually eligible individuals.

For example, HMA can assist rural communities and the organizations that support their needs with:

Rural-specific workforce solutions

Programs addressing Social Determinants of Health/Health-related Social Needs

Payment system reforms

Development of integrated care programs for Dual Eligibles

Substance Use Disorder/Opioid Use Disorder prevention, treatment, and recovery services

Behavioral health services and supports

Justice-involved carceral healthcare and transitions

Long-term services and supports and home and community-based services

HMA understands the multilevel challenges for delivery of quality health care and social services to rural populations. From workforce and care access issues to transportation difficulties and technology barriers, to socio-economic differences, we can help rural providers and organizations overcome challenges and achieve their goals to serve and support their communities鈥� needs.

Other Rural Health Project Examples:

HMA is supporting review and reform of the primary care payment environment in New Mexico working under a contract with Mercer. New Mexico鈥檚 Medicaid program had identified multiple challenges the primary care providers faced across the state, including rural sustainability and fiscal soundness. HMA鈥檚 approach includes coupling data analysis with stakeholder engagement. Our work to date includes designing, testing, and evaluating new primary care alternative payment models (APMs); fiscal, policy, and/or programmatic implementation recommendations related to the multi-payor roll-out of a primary care APM; and supporting primary care practitioners related to NM Medicaid APM implementation. Additional project work will include more provider specific analysis, recruitment for pilot testing and provide education, analysis and training for providers, health plans and state regulators.

HMA is working with the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF) to perform a dynamic heat mapping as the first phase of a three-phase project that includes an environmental scan of home and community-based services (HCBS)/Medicaid. HMA is creating a tool that HCPF can leverage to update and track progress to close provider gaps. In subsequent work HMA will identify potential geographic regions which would benefit from reimbursement structure changes, including geographic adjustment factors to apply to preexisting fee-for-service rates or other mechanisms to effectively address identified care gaps. Based on these results, HMA will recommend strategies and best practices to expand the provider network in rural areas to avoid care deserts and assure access to services for all Medicaid members.

Over the past six years, HMA has supported tribal communities in Montana with an array of data and evaluation expertise specific to behavioral health system assessments and evaluation activities. To date, we have conducted feasibility assessments for tribes considering options to 638 their behavioral health services, evaluated high-fidelity wraparound services in tribal communities through the Montana Systems of Care program, supported efforts to discern a concept design for a joint tribally operated Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Continuum of Care, and assisted tribally operated clinics in best practices in opioid prescribing and addiction treatment.

The Georgia Health Policy Center provides technical assistance for grantees of HRSA鈥檚 Rural Health Programs. HMA created a and additional tools, including a webinar, designed to inform and support rural provider leadership on Value-Based Care. The primer serves as a self-paced guide helping organizations consider national trends and experiences, assess their current state and readiness, understand benefits and barriers of Value-Based Care. The primer and tools are used by the technical assistance team and rural health grantees.

HMA has worked with HSHS for over 10 years, providing a wide range of services including:

Grant surveillance related to strategic plans, project management, grant program development, and narrative writing for multiple state and federal grants including USDA, HRSA, and SAMHSA.

Expanding access to medication assisted treatment (MAT) in emergency departments by activating a team of HMA experts to implement a global assessment of readiness to adopt MAT, create a comprehensive training curriculum, assist with development of policies, workflows and standardized orders; and provide technical assistance required to address stigma and implement change. HMA also aided in writing the successful proposal for state funding for this project.

Stakeholder engagement for a hub-and-spoke model of telehealth network, assessed strategic priorities across multiple diverse stakeholders, and developed a strategic plan for HSHS鈥� Wisconsin rural healthcare provider telehealth network.

Development of the Illinois Telehealth network composed of 21 rural healthcare providers across Illinois. HMA provided technical expertise on the adoption of telehealth services and the development of clinical protocols and led strategic planning efforts. The network now functions to support the members in disseminating best practices, implementing telehealth service lines, sharing clinical protocols, removing barriers, and promoting evaluation.

HMA is currently assisting HSHS鈥� rural behavioral health team in devising new models of community-based withdrawal management processes consistent with recent changes in Wisconsin鈥檚 regulations. HMA experts on residential substance use disorder and integrated care provide technical assistance, training, and evidence-based policy development.

HMA supported the Texas Department of Agriculture, State Office of Rural Health (SORH) by leading SORH鈥檚 three-year strategic plan and design future programs. For the needs assessment, HMA conducted a systematic assessment that included an environmental scan of rural health key issues and trends, online survey of rural Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) and prospective payment systems (PPS) hospitals in Texas identify needs and gaps, and an analysis of publicly available data to identify health needs and differences between rural and urban residents. Informed by this assessment and close collaboration with SORH staff, HMA developed a strategic plan to guide the next three years of SORH鈥檚 programming, as well as created work and evaluation plans for the SORH and Flex grant programs. Other tasks included assessment of Texas rural hospital telemedicine readiness, recommendations for value-based payment models for rural hospitals, and opportunities to support rural hospitals in reducing health disparities.

Our depth and breadth of experience has helped a diverse range of healthcare industry leaders focused on rural and frontier areas. What can we do for you?

Contact our experts:

Kathleen Cahill

Associate Principal

Kathleen Cahill is a solutions-driven C-Suite executive with more than 40 years of experience in healthcare operations, working for entities … Read more

Kenneth Cochran

Principal

Kenneth Cochran is a healthcare executive with more than 20 years leveraging his clinical, business and academic background to deliver … Read more

Dan Castillo

Managing Principal

Dan Castillo is a seasoned healthcare executive with over 20 years of experience in health administration. He specializes in health … Read more

Shannon Brown Joseph

Senior Consultant

Shannon Brown Joseph is a dynamic and accomplished workforce development liaison with experience in federal and state funded programs, diversity … Read more

Rebecca Kellenberg

Principal

Rebecca Kellenberg specializes in assisting public and private health care organizations with Medicaid and CHIP policy analysis and implementation. With … Read more

Jill Kemper

Associate Principal

Jill Kemper has extensive experience improving access to care and care delivery, especially for vulnerable or complex patient populations and … Read more

Margaret Kirkegaard

Principal

Dr. Margaret Kirkegaard has extensive front line experience and an impressive breadth of knowledge about healthcare and its delivery. A … Read more

Sarah Oachs

Associate Principal

A collaborative health and human services professional, Sarah Oachs has vast experience in organizational leadership and assessments, operations management, and … Read more

Bill Snyder

Principal

Emily Wilson

Associate Principal

A multi-disciplinary public health leader, Emily Wilson is passionate about bringing people together to solve the most pressing problems in … Read more

Public Health Preparedness Services

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鈥淧ublic health problems pose special challenges. They are generally enormous in scale, stem from numerous and highly complex causes, play out in the public eye, impact a vast array of stakeholders, and require unusually long-term solutions. The massive scope and complexity of such problems, including conditions such as uncontrolled childhood mortality, suboptimal maternal health, HIV/AIDS, cardiovascular disease, and cancer, among others, affect millions worldwide. Furthermore, the health issues quickly trigger a host of other family, economic, and social problems that ruin lives, erode communities, and weaken countries.鈥�

– Journal of Public Health, Fostering public health leadership article

Concerned about another crisis?

Health departments play a critical role in achieving health security, including preparing communities for potential threats, mitigating those threats, responding to emergencies, and aiding in the recovery process. Over the past few years, public health has been faced with heightened scrutiny, lack of trust, and the need to evolve and keep up with the latest natural disasters, environmental, and infectious disease threats.

How HMA can help

HMA assists state, local, territorial, and tribal health departments with:

Plan writing, including emergency operations, hazard mitigation, medical counter measures, mass fatality, pandemic, continuity of operations, and crisis communications.

Reviewing and synthesizing emergency plans, policies, and procedures into actionable and meaningful abbreviated checklists.

Training and exercise development, including tabletop exercises, full scale exercises, hot wash debrief facilitation, after action report writing.

Workforce analyses, including determining if your health department is adequately staffed to respond to an emergency and maintain the foundational public health functions.

Capacity building and strategic infrastructure investment, including spending plans, funding, and development of action plans.

Staff/workforce resilience and morale, including team building, workforce assessments, and strategic planning.

Equity and Inclusion, including access and functional needs.

Infection control, including facilitating trainings, plan writing, and compliance.

Our Colleagues and Expertise

HMA public health preparedness experts applicable experience and expertise to assist public health agencies in preparing, mitigating, responding to, and recovering from public health emergencies.

Managing and coordinating Public Health Emergency Preparedness (PHEP) grants and emergency response and recovery activities at state, local and territorial health departments.
Developing emergency operation plans, procedures, and guidelines for emergency response projects.
Multifaceted public health strategic planning, which incorporates health services access, social service integration, workforce sustainability, data modernization, and environmental considerations.

Former staff from the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO)鈥檚 public health preparedness program.
Supply chain management of medicines and other health technology resources.
Development of evidence-based infection control practice, policy, and procedures.
Colleagues educated via the Association of Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) in infection control prevention practices and public policy.

Project Spotlight

HMA worked with El Paso County Public Health (EPCPH) leadership to extend the reach of EPCPH staff during this pandemic and support the quick development of a COVID-19 recovery plan and an After Action Report (AAR). HMA gathered background information, intelligence, and templates from EPCPH staff, drawing from the prior COVID-19 plans. HMA documented best practices from other counties where HMA currently supported COVID-19 response planning and conducted interviews with EPCPH staff as needed to provide input into the plans. HMA drafted two plans: 1) a COVID-19 recovery plan, including a review of the transition back after COVID-19, health department continuity of operations (COOP) as it moved back to normal and indicators for return to work, and 2) an AAR for EPCPH鈥檚 positives and negatives related to the following: variances, EH (masks, capacity) compliance (masks, capacity), case investigation/contract tracing, and data analytics as well as med surge.

HMA evaluated COVID-19 response activities within the Hospital Association of California (HASC) member facilities and partners across the regions served. HMA reviewed a representative sample of member facility and partner agency plans developed and utilized during the response. We reviewed relevant annexes, guidance from local and state public health, member facilities, and federal agencies activated, alongside open-source information. HMA also examined documentation developed during response and recovery, including situation reports, memorandums of understanding, messaging to facilities, memos about response, training, and exercise events to perform an analysis of activities and references. In addition, this project garnered input from other key healthcare and government stakeholders in the regional market, including emergency medical services, public health, city and county governments, transportation, and others via online surveys and small group interviews. The creation of a Mid-Action Report/Best Practices Plan was particularly important to document lessons learned, best practices, and improvement items to inform ongoing efforts and future readiness initiatives to improve HASC鈥檚 capabilities and the planning needs of its members.

Contact our experts:

Brent Barkett

Principal

A purpose driven leader and recognized expert in healthcare value transformation, Brent Barkett has a unique combination of clinical application, … Read more

Lisa Harrison

Associate Principal

Lisa Harrison is a physician associate with more than 20 years of direct experience in clinical practice as a primary … Read more

Zipatly V. Mendoza

Senior Consultant

Zipatly V. Mendoza has more than 15 years of program management experience and a demonstrated ability to administer public health … Read more

Yamini Narayan

Senior Consultant

A diversified professional who thrives on solving the most complex questions in health policy, Yamini Narayan is a skilled researcher … Read more

Hannah Savage

Consultant

Hannah Savage is an experienced public health professional with skills in program evaluation, data analysis, survey development, survey analysis, and … Read more

Linda Vail

Principal

Linda Vail is an accomplished public health leader, creative problem solver and strategic thinker. She has extensive experience in opioid … Read more

Emily Wilson

Associate Principal

A multi-disciplinary public health leader, Emily Wilson is passionate about bringing people together to solve the most pressing problems in … Read more

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HMA Solutions

Digital Quality Measurement: A Key Driver to Value

.cls-1 { fill: none; stroke: #fff; stroke-linecap: round; stroke-linejoin: round; stroke-width: 2px; } Regulatory Mandates

Organizations that delay preparing for the 2027 rule risk costly setbacks and non-compliance.

.cls-1 { fill: none; stroke: #fff; stroke-linecap: round; stroke-linejoin: round; stroke-width: 2px; } Opportunity for Transformation

dQM drives efficiency and quality improvement, supporting population health initiatives, care coordination, and value-based contracting.

Complexity and Risk

dQM implementation spans multiple departments鈥擨T, quality improvement, analytics, legal, and more鈥攃reating a host of challenges requiring specialized expertise.

Competitive Advantage

Early adopters will have a first mover advantage. This advantage could result in revenue associated with auto-assignment, STARS bonus, value-based purchasing, reduced sanctions and fine, etc.

Why Partner with HMA?

Ready to Transform Your Quality Measurement?

Contact our HMA dQM experts to discuss your organization鈥檚 goals and challenges:

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Managing Director, Quality and Accreditation

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HMA Solutions

Supporting New York to improve reproductive health outcomes and equity

HMA can help your organization

Anticipated opportunities include:

HMA鈥檚 nationwide team of experts include:

Our Maternal & Child Health Team at HMA

Contact our experts:

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How HMA can help

OUR EXPERTISE

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HMA Solutions

Increasing the Cultural and Linguistic Accessibility of Services

Quality

Provide services that are responsive to diverse backgrounds across the US

Equity

Reduce persistent health disparities experienced by racial, ethnic, linguistic, sexual, and gender minorities; persons with disabilities; and rural populations

Experiences of Care

Respect the whole individual and respond to the individual鈥檚 health needs and preferences

Cost

Reduce total cost of care by addressing health disparities

WHY CARE ABOUT CLAS?

What We Do

Our CLAS Work

Our CLAS Approach

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Managing Director, Housing and Health Solutions

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Managing Director, Delivery Systems

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Homelessness in America has hit a record high and housing instability is widespread. Millions of Americans are vulnerable to inadequate housing and half of all U.S. renters are spending far more than the recommended 33% of their income on rent.

Regulatory Mandates

Opportunity for Transformation