At AHIP Conference, Data Rules and Social Determinants Dominate Conversation

AHIP’s annual conference — AHIP 2022, convened in Las Vegas — was the first in-person gathering of the health insurance trade group since COVID-19 arrived in the United States — so the health care professionals who gathered there had even more than usual to discuss. AHIP 2022 featured dozens of panels on a variety of subjects, but two themes stuck out: social determinants of health (SDOH) and the digital transformation wrought by interoperability and transparency mandates.

SDOH are the factors outside the health care system and clinical care that impact patient health — a group of social ills like racism, hunger and housing insecurity. Those needs are usually more pronounced in disadvantaged groups with limited access to health care. Presenters from health plans and other areas of the health care sector discussed how strategies like data analytics, community health workers and modifications to benefit design can improve health outcomes related to SDOH. Some 14 panels addressed issues like social health, equity and hunger directly, and many other panelists made mention of SDOH challenges during their presentations or answered audience questions on the subject.