MARSHFIELD – Security Health Plan of Wisconsin, Inc., received the Health Equity Accreditation for its Medicaid product line from the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA). NCQA awards Accreditation to organizations that meet or exceed its rigorous requirements for health equity. The Health Equity Accreditation recognizes organizations that lead the market in providing culturally and linguistically sensitive services, and work to reduce health care disparities.
NCQA’s Health Equity Accreditation evaluates how well an organization complies with standards in the following areas: organizational readiness, race/ethnicity, language, gender identity and sexual orientation; access and availability of language services; practitioner network cultural responsiveness; culturally and linguistically appropriate services programs; and reducing health care disparities.
“Earning Health Equity Accreditation shows that an organization is making a breakthrough in providing excellent health care to diverse populations. I congratulate any organization that achieves this level of distinction,” said NCQA President Margaret E. O’Kane. “Eliminating racial and ethnic disparities in health care is essential to improving the quality of care overall.”
Security Health Plan is committed to reducing barriers so members can achieve their optimal health, while acknowledging influence from their social or demographic conditions, like race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, gender or sexual orientation. Contributors to health equity are boundless and can connect with an individual’s social, political, economic and cultural beliefs. Achieving health equity for members requires addressing social determinants of health and health disparities. It involves providing care catered toward an individual or group to help them achieve the same health outcome as someone in another group. It helps address and reduce disparities and promotes a more just and inclusive society.
Security Health Plan has focused on building on internal culture that supports health equity by collecting relevant information such as race, ethnicity, gender, birth sex and language from members. This information allows Security Health Plan to make necessary improvements that reduce health inequity and improve member care while being mindful of individuals’ cultural and linguistic needs. This work allows Security Health Plan to identify opportunities to reduce health inequities and improve care.
“Through our health equity efforts, we have shifted focus from health equality to health equity as treating all members equally may not address underlying disparities for certain demographics,” said Security Health Plan Chief Medical Officer Dr. Mary Davis. “We are gratified that Security Health Plan is recognized for continuously improving and enriching the lives of all our members. Security ensures that no one is left behind when it comes to their well-being.”
Security Health Plan’s efforts with the NCQA’s Health Equity Accreditation is building a culture that supports equity work, both within the organization and communities.
For more information concerning Security Health Plan’s initiatives to reduce health inequities and improve care, visit www.securityhealth.org/
