CBOs May Also be Eligible for Financial Assistance to Help Offset Costs of Adopting the SDOH Referral System

PHOENIX, Ariz. (Jan. 12, 2023) – Contexture, Arizona’s health information exchange (HIE) and host of CommunityCares, the statewide referral system designed to address social determinants of health (SDOH) needs in the state, today announced the launch of two new programs designed to provide financial benefits to community-based organizations (CBOs) that join the CommunityCares system and contribute to the growth of the network.

Through the CBO Incentive Program, Arizona CBOs are eligible to receive financial incentives when participation milestones in the CommunityCares program are achieved. The three participation milestones are:

• $2,000 when a CBO signs a CommunityCares Access Agreement, begins using the CommunityCares system and agrees to receive referrals for at least one service
• $3,000 when a CBO meets CommunityCares usage metrics for six months
• $5,000 when a CBO meets CommunityCares usage metrics for 12 months

The financial incentives are just one reward for CBOs that become active participants of the CommunityCares system.

CBOs may also be eligible to receive financial assistance through the CBO Assistance Reimbursement Program to help offset the cost of participating in CommunityCares and ensure they can obtain the essential technology infrastructure necessary for them to succeed. CBOs can receive a maximum of $5,000 to purchase technology or pay for internet access that will facilitate their active participation in CommunityCares. $1,000 of the $5,000 is available to pay for staff time to attend training or technical support for the system.

To be eligible for the CBO Assistance Reimbursement Program, CBOs must agree to participate in the CommunityCares program and receive referrals for a period of three years following execution of the CommunityCares Access Agreement.

“By connecting healthcare organizations and CBOs on a single platform, CommunityCares promises to streamline the referral process, foster easier access to vital services and enhance care coordination for needed social support,” Contexture CEO Melissa Kotrys said. “We recognize that not all CBOs may be able to afford the software or equipment required to adopt the CommunityCares system, so we want to facilitate their involvement by supporting their technology and training needs, as their participation will help improve the health and well-being of Arizonans in need.”

The CBO Incentive Program is a first-come, first-served opportunity. In the future, incentive funding may be expanded contingent upon financial support from healthcare and health IT community stakeholders.

Arizona-based CBOs interested in joining the CommunityCares SDOH program should contact the Contexture SDOH team at AZSDOH@contexture.org or visit CommunityCaresAZ.org.

##

About Contexture
Contexture is a nonprofit, regional organization that provides strategic, technical and administrative support to communities committed to advancing health through information sharing. Contexture is the largest health information organization in the western United States. Its mission is to advance individual and community health and wellness through the delivery of actionable information and analysis. Learn more at contexture.org. Follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Matthew Isiogu
Chief Revenue Officer
Contexture
matthew.isiogu@contexture.org