Humana, NQF argue COVID-19 spotlights need for population health evolution

The COVID-19 pandemic is putting a spotlight on why it’s critical for population-based models to consider the impacts of patients’ social needs, experts say. William Shrank, M.D., chief medical officer at Humana, and Shantanu Agrawal, M.D., CEO of the National Quality Forum, co-authored an analysis this week that argues social risks should be weighed alongside clinical risks in population-based payment models. Shrank said that the coronavirus pandemic is further highlighting the impact of the social determinants of health, especially as people with social needs are particularly vulnerable. As such, Humana has adapted its population health strategy to meet those concerns, he said.