Participants in a pilot project in Salina, Kansas, are living healthier and more active lives after KanCare (Kansas’ Medicaid program) and Cerner collaborated to improve their overall well-being. Starting in June 2015, the initiative used targeted data to focus on eligible Medicaid beneficiaries diagnosed with high blood pressure and diabetes, and those who were pregnant. Those beneficiaries then learned how they could improve their health through things like healthy eating and exercise.

“The pilot program identified effective ways to improve the health and engagement of those in the Kansas Medicaid program,” said Kansas Gov. Jeff Colyer, M.D.

When the program ended in July 2016, those who took part in all the program requirements reported a drop in triglycerides and total cholesterol, as well as an increase in physical activity. Total cholesterol fell an average of 9.8 mg/dL, while triglycerides fell an average of 27.5 mg/dL. The group also self-reported an increase in moderate or vigorous physical activity — from 82 percent to 93 percent.

“Cerner and the State of Kansas have a shared vision for improving the health of its residents. The pilot project allowed us to collaborate on innovative ways to engage KanCare beneficiaries and provide a tailored health care experience which led to improved health outcomes,” said Christa Roberts, director of population health client performance management, Cerner.

To encourage participation, Cerner looked at the geographic data on disease prevalence and set up physical locations close to where beneficiaries lived, worked and shopped, including the Salina Emergency Aid /Food Bank, Central Kansas Foundation and Walmart.

At those locations, Cerner’s health team administered labs and biometric screenings, provided health coaching services and offered education about food and transportation resources. Cerner health navigators also matched participants to physicians, monitored program engagement and shared information about the participants’ progress with those involved (managed care coordination). As an incentive, enrollees received water bottles, pedometers or Walmart gift cards for their participation in the program.

Cerner and the University of Kansas Business School created a survey to collect data on participants’ health beliefs, motivations and hopes. Survey results helped break the respondents into various groups. Health navigators then communicated with participants in each group with personalized messaging to encourage further participation.

“Through the program, we found a way to incentivize members to make healthy behavior changes,” said Colyer. “The incentive strategy, combined with collaborative relationships between beneficiaries and their health team, are helping Kansans achieve better outcomes.”

Now that the pilot project is complete, it could lead to similar future projects to improve the health of Medicaid beneficiaries.