The purpose of the Health-Related Social Needs (HRSN) Integration Fund is to support Massachusetts community-based organizations interested in becoming MassHealth managed care providers to provide housing and nutrition services to eligible MassHealth members. Specifically, the HRSN Integration Fund will support community-based organizations to increase knowledge and capacity, enhance technology, and put in place systems and processes to enable them to effectively participate as Health-Related Social Needs Providers beginning January 1, 2025.
Release of Grant Opportunity
The Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS) is pleased to announce a Grant Application to solicit applications for funding under the Health Related Social Needs (HRSN) Integration Fund. The goal of the HRSN Integration Fund is to support organizations to increase knowledge and capacity, enhance technology, and establish systems and processes to enable them to effectively contract with MassHealth Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) for HRSN Services, anticipated to begin on January 1, 2025. In addition, applicants may propose leveraging HRSN Integration Funds to establish and operationalize Hubs as a method for delivering HRSN Services to Enrollees.
Applicants may request funding from the HRSN Integration Fund for one or more of the following activities:
- Technology to support electronic referral, screening, case management, data warehouse and reporting, financial management and equipment for new staff;
- Developing and implementing business or operational practices to support the delivery of HRSN Services;
- Workforce development to enhance HRSN Service delivery; and
- Outreach and education.
Please refer to the Grant Application for additional details about the funding opportunity, including information about eligible Applicants and submission requirements. The Grant Application is available on COMMBUYS as #BD-25-1039-EHS01-ASHWA-105918 at this link:
Questions may be sent to the HRSN Integration Fund managing vendor, 网爆吃瓜, at听 hrsnintegration@hria.org between now and August 14, 2024.
Please note that while the Grant Application and accompanying materials are available on COMMBUYS, the submission instructions and Model Grant Agreement are linked below:
- Model Grant Agreement:
- Submission Instructions: /wp-content/uploads/2024/07/HRSN-Integration-Funds-Grant-Application-Submission-Instructions.pdf
HRSN Provider Resources:
1. MCO & MBHP Contacts for Provider Credentialing and Enrollment Assistance:
- Contacts for Managed Care Organizations (MCOs) and the Massachusetts Behavioral Health Partnership dedicated to assisting HRSN Providers with inquiries concerning the credentialing and enrollment processes. Click here for a document dedicated to assisting HRSN Providers with inquiries concerning the credentialing and enrollment processes.
- Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions at flexibleservices@mass.gov.
2. NPI Taxonomy Code Reference for MassHealth HRSN Services:
- Introduction to NPI Taxonomy Codes for MassHealth HRSN Providers: Listed in this document are examples of organizational-level taxonomy codes that may be relevant to future HRSN (Health Related Social Needs) Providers seeking to register for National Provider Identification (NPI) numbers. Click here to access the document.听
Past Events:
Webinar Five: Understanding Claims and Billing as an HRSN Provider
Date and Time: Tuesday, August 6,鈥�2024, 9:00 to 10:30 am
顿别蝉肠谤颈辫迟颈辞苍:听This 5th webinar provided an overview of claims and billing – a critical process for HRSN providers to receive payment for services provided. Note that a follow-up webinar 听will focus on details relevant specifically to HRSN claims and billing.
- Click here for the slides
- Clickfor the video recording of the presentation
Webinar Four: Hubs & Third-Party Billing Options for HRSN Transition
Date and Time: Monday, June 10, 2024, from 3:00 pm-4:30 pm
Description: This webinar highlights alternative approaches and additional resources that are available to support becoming an HRSN Provider, including hubs and third-party organizations.听听Hubs and other third-party organizations can be considered to manage many of the administrative and infrastructure functions on behalf of the Provider.
- Click here for the slides
- Click for the video recording
HRSN Public Facing Sign Up Sheet:
The HRSN Public Facing Sign Up Sheet is an opportunity for future HRSN Providers to indicate if they seek support or partnerships with other CBOs and SSOs.听 This is a chance to engage with one another as you determine what updates you need to make to your organization’s administrative functions and how you can work collectively to accomplish those goals. Please go on the sign up sheet 听and connect with your peers!
Important Guidance on NPIs for HRSN Services Providers Considering the Hub Model:
All organizations interested in providing HRSN Services as a part of a hub model should acquire a National Provider Identifier (NPI) number, regardless of whether they anticipate acting as a parent or satellite agency. The NPI number is an important identifier for all organizations delivering HRSN services. For more information on NPIs, please review our webinar 鈥淗ow to Apply for a National Provider Identifier (NPI)鈥� below.
Webinar Three: How to Apply for a National Provider Identifier (NPI)
Date and time: Monday, May 20, 11:00 am – 12:30 pm
Description: Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) interested in partnering with ACOs to deliver nutrition and/or housing-related services will need to obtain a National Provider Identification Number (NPI). Applying for an NPI number is an essential first step to becoming an HRSN Provider. This webinar provided a comprehensive overview of the process needed to complete the NPI application.
- Click here for the slides
- Click for the video recording
Webinar Two: Provider 101: HRSN Provider Contracting, Credentialing, & Enrollment
Date and time: Monday, May 6, 2024, 3:00 pm-4:00 pm
Description: In 2025, Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) will enter into contracts with Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) to provide housing and nutrition-related services also known as Health-Related Social Needs (HRSN) Services. This webinar will provide a comprehensive overview of the process to successfully become an HRSN Provider and critical steps that organizations should consider.
- Click here for the slides
- Click for the video recording
Webinar One: Learning about MassHealth and Managed Care for Community-based Nutrition and Housing Organizations
Date: Thursday, March 28, 2024, 3:00 pm-4:30 pm
Description: 听For the past several years, MassHealth has run the Flexible Services Program, which provides housing and nutrition supports to eligible ACO members. The Flexible Services Program is moving to a managed care Health-Related Social Needs (HRSN) framework. This webinar will touch on how this transition will impact agencies currently providing Flexible Services.
- Click here for the slides
Health Related Social Needs (HRSN) Services Implementation Public Meeting
- November 17, 2023 MassHealth HRSN Public Meeting: click for the slides