Alabama Medicaid launches ambitious health initiative to combat obesity

In a recent government meeting, officials provided an update on the Alabama Coordinated Health Network (ACHN), a program designed to enhance care coordination and case management across the state. Launched five years ago, the ACHN aims to address critical health issues, including childhood obesity, infant maternal mortality, and substance use disorders, which have historically plagued Alabama's Medicaid system.

The ACHN encompasses seven regions, with varying management structures: three regions are operated by the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), three by subsidiaries of Blue Cross of Alabama, and one by the Huntsville Hospital System. Currently, the program serves approximately 800,000 recipients, representing over 80% of Alabama's Medicaid population, primarily focusing on children and non-disabled elderly adults.

As part of its ongoing efforts, the ACHN is set to implement a new contract beginning October 1, 2024, which will introduce high-intensity case management for recipients with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 40 or greater, targeting the issue of morbid obesity. This initiative reflects a broader commitment to improving health outcomes for both children and adults.

The meeting highlighted several quality improvement projects (QIPs) that ACHN regions are mandated to undertake annually. These projects are monitored by an external auditor and are designed to adapt to community needs. For instance, the Alabama Care Network Mid-State has been providing dietitian services to combat childhood obesity, while North Alabama Community Care has initiated a food box program promoting healthy eating habits among families.

Additionally, the meeting addressed the significant rise in spending on GLP-1 agonists for type 2 diabetes treatment within the Medicaid program. Expenditures for these medications surged from $1.2 million in 2014 to $59 million by the end of 2023, underscoring the growing demand for diabetes management solutions.

Overall, the discussions underscored Alabama's ongoing efforts to improve health outcomes through targeted programs and increased funding, while also highlighting the challenges that remain in addressing the state's health disparities.