Since 2019, the QIN Network has worked to improve outcomes for healthy Louisiana participants.
2023 Outcomes
137%
Increase in the number of Medicaid participants receiving one-on-one navigation services (including scheduling, reminders, and education) from 2020 to 2023.
70%
Of Medicaid participants in 2023 controlled their diabetes, almost triple the number of participants in 2020 and 19% more than the national average.
72%
Of Medicaid participants in 2023 controlled their hypertension (high blood pressure), 11% more than the national average.
46%
Increase in the number of child and adolescent Medicaid participants receiving an annual well-child or well-care visit from 2020 to 2023.
2022 Outcomes
14%
Decrease in ambulatory emergency department visits from 2020 to 2022, with over 9,000 Medicaid participants receiving one-on-one navigation services (including scheduling, reminders, and education).
67%
Of Medicaid participants in 2022 controlled their diabetes, almost double the number of participants in 2020 and 20% more than the national average.
69%
Of Medicaid participants in 2022 controlled their hypertension (high blood pressure), 10% more than the national average.
32%
Increase in the number of child and adolescent Medicaid participants receiving an annual well-child or well-care visit from 2020 to 2022.
2021 Outcomes
64%
Increase in the number of Medicaid participants receiving one-on-one navigation services (including scheduling, reminders, and education) from 2020.
62%
Of Medicaid participants in 2021 controlled their diabetes, more than double the number of participants in 2020.
67%
Of Medicaid participants in 2021 controlled their hypertension (high blood pressure), a 17% increase from 2020.
22%
Increase in the number of child and adolescent Medicaid participants receiving an annual well-child or well-care visit from 2020.
Program Background
Beginning in 2019, LDH coordinates a comprehensive, multi-year plan for improving the health of its Medicaid population and thereby lowering costs. Improvements are achieved through QIN, a coalition of Medicaid MCOs and participating providers working together to advance network goals and ameliorate treatment gaps within the Louisiana Medicaid population.
Current Projects
Maternal Care
The State of Louisiana has the second highest prevalence of low birth weights nationally; over 11% of all babies born in Louisiana have a low birth weight. By encouraging regular prenatal check-ups, improving access to specialized medical professionals, and providing evidence-based prenatal education, the Maternal Care project ensures healthier pregnancies and safer deliveries. Through this proactive approach, participating hospitals mitigate risks, improve birth outcomes, and foster the well-being of both mothers and babies covered by Medicaid.
Lung Cancer Screening
Since the inception of the MCIP Lung Cancer Screening project, Louisiana has made remarkable strides in improving lung cancer screening rates among eligible individuals. Initially, the state ranked 9th lowest in lung cancer screening rates, which was significantly below the national average. Today, Louisiana has risen to 20th lowest, reflecting a substantial improvement and bringing the rate closer to the national average. The project aims to further enhance these outcomes by raising awareness and providing education on the importance of screening for eligible Medicaid recipients. Through accessible and affordable screening options, along with personalized outreach, the program seeks to improve early detection rates, leading to better treatment outcomes and ultimately saving lives in the Medicaid community.
Tobacco Cessation
Around 18% of all adults in Louisiana smoke, the 10th highest smoking rate nationally. The MCIP Tobacco Cessation project is a comprehensive initiative designed to support individuals in their journey to quit smoking. By providing counseling, behavioral therapy, and access to FDA-approved cessation medications, the program will address the addiction and dependency on tobacco products. Through personalized plans, ongoing support, and community resources, the program strives to significantly increase cessation rates, improving the overall health and well-being of Medicaid beneficiaries in Louisiana by reducing the harmful effects of tobacco use.
Palliative & Hospice Care
Louisiana is in the bottom quartile of states for access to palliative care in hospitals. The MCIP Palliative and Hospice Care project is a compassionate and patient-centric initiative. By focusing on improving the quality of life for individuals with serious illnesses, the program provides tailored education, pain management, and emotional support to alleviate suffering. Through a multidisciplinary approach, the program aims to ensure comfort, dignity, and holistic care for Medicaid beneficiaries during their end-of-life journey.
Healthy Lifestyle
Louisiana has the second highest prevalence of obesity in America and is the fourth most physically inactive state. Through targeted interventions, the Healthy Lifestyle project seeks to empower Louisianians to take charge of their health and foster a culture of wellness and physical activity across the state. This includes increasing adult body mass index screenings, nutrition counseling, and physical activity education statewide. The ultimate goal of the project is to help individuals understand their current health status and make informed decisions about their lifestyle.
Sickle Cell Care Coordination
Among Medicaid patients nationally, Louisiana has the third highest per capital prevalence of sickle cell disease and eighth largest total population. Despite these statistics, access to comprehensive sickle cell services remains a challenge for many individuals in the state. The MCIP Sickle Cell Disease Care Coordination project seeks to address this gap by implementing a comprehensive care coordination program. The project aims to improve access to high-quality sickle cell services for Medicaid recipients in Louisiana. This includes increasing access to appropriate screenings and vaccines, connecting patients with medical homes, and enhancing collaboration among healthcare providers involved in the care of individuals with sickle cell disease. By improving communication and coordination among providers, the project aims to ensure that patients receive timely and appropriate care, ultimately improving health outcomes and quality of life for individuals with sickle cell disease in Louisiana.
Patient Outreach
MCIP has significantly enhanced patient outreach, ensuring better communication and engagement with patients. By focusing on improving patient-centric care and communication channels, participating hospitals report that MCIP has made patient outreach more effective. Many MCIP projects involve initiatives such as personalized follow-up calls or messages to patients due for appointments, distributing educational materials to patients, and utilizing relevant health information and resources. These efforts foster stronger patient-provider relationships, leading to increased patient satisfaction and improved health outcomes. Ultimately, this proactive approach to patient outreach contributes to a more efficient and compassionate healthcare system for Medicaid recipients in Louisiana.
Data Collection
Participating facilities gather data from patient encounters throughout the year. Projects addressing chronic illnesses follow patients over time, allowing for a more complete view of patient health over time. QIN compiles data from providers across Louisiana and summarizes achievements at a state-wide level. Through data collection, a comprehensive overview of patients’ health outcomes throughout the entire state can be obtained, offering a bird’s-eye view of their overall well-being.
Providers credit MCIP for establishing more effective and efficient patient data practices
that span across projects and systems.
These practices
“allow providers to spend less time gathering data
and more time improving health outcomes.”
– LPN, North Caddo Medical Center
Managed care organizations (MCOs) appreciate the
“easily readable and concise”
reporting from the network, which simplified the process of identifying patients for referral to MCO case management outreach.
– United HealthCare
Monitoring Outcomes
Year over year, for each of the project goals, provider-submitted data is compared to baseline data and data from prior years. Success is measured in terms of whether goals set in conjunction with Louisiana Department of Health (“LDH”) are met. MCIP is by its nature collaborative, so providers who meet or exceed goals share their techniques and tips with providers who do not do as well. The result is improved health outcomes for Healthy Louisiana enrollees across the state.
Engagement through the MCIP program has been heartening. Traditionally, we measured a patient’s blood pressure 1-4 times a year, but through patient engagement and at home monitoring, we are now seeing 1-5 blood pressure readings per week.
– MD – Telehealth Systems Chair & Digital Medicine Medical Director, Ochsner
Patient registries of MCIP projects allow MCOs to conduct internal risk
assessments more quickly and accurately.
For example, MCOs can isolate patients with recurring high HbA1c results and schedule interventions – like podiatry appointments – for them.
– AmeriHealth and UnitedHealthcare
Remote monitoring empowered patients to take their health into their own hands and resulted in “huge benefit to expectant mothers.”
Moreover, standardization of assessments across the network keeps providers honed-in on the most important issues.
– ER Navigation Supervisor, Ochsner
Participating Providers
The MCIP Program consists of 36 of Louisiana’s top
hospitals and health systems:
