REIMBURSEMENT/ADVOCACY

The resources in this section pertain to critical issues relevant to the long term sustainability of the CHW workforce including training, certification and payment/reimbursement.

State CHW Models, National Academy for State Health Policy (NASHP)
This website highlights state activity to integrate CHWs into health care systems in key areas such as financing, education/training, and certification and provides information on CHW definitions, roles, scope of practice, and enacted CHW legislation by state.

Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO): Community Health Workers
This webpage contains resources related to the new Medicaid rule, including examples of successful strategies for preventive service delivery by non-licensed providers such as CHWs, and other resources related to the adaptation, licensure, and support of CHWs.

Community Health Worker Models in Evolving State Health Care Systems (NASHP)
This blog outlines some of the ways states have tackled challenges such as financing and certification.

State Community Health Worker Models (NASHP)
This map and chart details information about activities related to CHWs by state.

Community Health Worker Toolkit
CDC has compiled evidence-based research that supports the effectiveness of CHWs. The toolkit also includes information that state health departments can use to train and further build capacity for CHWs in their communities, as well as helpful resources that CHWs can use within their communities.

An evidence base has taken shape in support of many policy components that encompasses a CHW policy intervention. There is strong evidence demonstrating the value and impact of CHWs in preventing and managing a variety of chronic diseases. Below are a number of reports and policy briefs that outline the growing policy evidence, as well as a helpful fact sheet that summarizes the extent to which states have enacted laws addressing CHW infrastructure, professional identity, workforce development, and financing,

• Policy Evidence Assessment Report: Community Health Worker Policy Components (CDC)
• A Summary of State Community Health Worker Laws (CDC)
• A recent Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) ruling (Jan. 2014, page 8) states that non-licensed health providers can be reimbursed for preventive services that are recommended by a licensed clinician. Decisions about implementing changes made possible by this ruling depend on state Medicaid offices through their state plan amendment process. This ruling is another indicator of how opportunities for transforming practices are increasingly facilitated by changes in payment rules and systems.

ASTHO Wiki: Workforce State Plans
ASTHO State Innovation Models Initiative (SIM) Wiki Workforce State Plans