Bridging the Health Equity Gaps

What is Health Homes?

Bridging Care works with programs that focus on care coordination and care navigation, one of which is Health Homes. Health Homes is a State program that serves Medicaid and duly eligible (Medicaid-Medicare) patients to find the right care at the right time.

Our work in action: Community stories

Emergency Support

Meet “John”, a hard-working seasonal worker who traveled out of state to earn a living. Unfortunately, due to an organ failure, John was unable to work and had to seek medical attention. He made the difficult decision to return to Seattle, Washington for treatment, leaving him in a vulnerable position without a job or stable living arrangements. Thankfully, John's employer stepped up and provided him with a hotel for a month, but he was still struggling to meet his basic needs.

Bridging Care connected John with a social worker from Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) who helped him receive emergency food stamp benefits the same day he reached out for help. With our help, John was able to access the Health Homes program, which provided him with food and cash assistance, giving him some much-needed financial stability.

Hearing Again

Meet “Maria”, a woman who was struggling with hearing loss as a result of antibiotic treatment she was receiving for an infection. Despite her efforts to obtain a hearing aid, she found herself facing disappointment after 2-3 hearing tests at different facilities failed to result in a follow-up appointment.

That's when our Care Coordinator stepped in to help. We worked closely with Maria to re-establish her care with an Ear, Nose, and Throat specialist and an audiologist, ensuring that all necessary steps were taken to obtain the hearing aids she so desperately needed. Throughout the process, we provided Maria with unwavering support, ensuring that she received the necessary authorizations, molds, and fittings required for her hearing aids. We were thrilled to hear from Maria during our follow-up call, where she shared her happiness at finally receiving her hearing aids.

Payment Assistance

Meet “Sarah”, a woman who was struggling to keep up with her monthly bills and rent payments. In January, her rent increased, and Sarah found herself falling behind on her other monthly expenses as a result.

Thankfully, our Care Coordinator was able to step in and provide much-needed support. We worked closely with Sarah to apply for her County Rental Assistance, and we were thrilled to hear that she was approved for four months of paid rent, up until July. She shared with us that this assistance had given her the breathing room she needed to focus on paying off some of her other bills so that she wouldn't fall behind again. With the knowledge that her rent was taken care of for the next few months, she was able to redirect her monthly income towards other important expenses.

Washington State Health Homes Program Facts

Designed to help reduce hospital admissions, emergency room visits, and other costly healthcare interventions by providing more coordinated and proactive care to patients with complex medical needs

Funded by both state and federal Medicaid dollars, with the federal government matching the state's investment at a rate of approximately 50-60%.

Part of Washington's Medicaid program and is designed to provide comprehensive care coordination and health services for Medicaid beneficiaries with complex medical needs.
Serves over 29,000 Medicaid beneficiaries in Washington State.