Waymark has collaborated with Aetna Better Health of Virginia, a CVS Health company, to provide services to improve access and quality of care through community-based teams for Aetna’s Virginia Medicaid members.

Patients enrolled in Medicaid often experience challenges with access to care, prescriptions, and social support such as housing and food. Waymark hires, trains, and deploys a network of community health workers, pharmacists, behavioral health therapists, and coordinators in clinics to work with patients and primary care providers to improve care delivery.

This innovative collaboration will enhance the impact and reach of community-based care. Waymark’s proprietary data science technologies will help identify patients and match them to the right interventions, while reducing the administrative burden on providers.

“For many of our members, especially those with complex care needs, receiving coordinated and holistic health care is essential for improving their health and quality of life,” said Jerold Mammano, Division President, Aetna Medicaid. “Through our new value-based collaboration with Waymark, Aetna Medicaid members in Virginia will have expanded access to behavioral health services and resources to address social care needs. Our work together will begin by supporting communities in Richmond, Tidewater, and Petersburg and expand into additional areas of the state.”

Recognizing that primary care providers are critical to supporting the health of individuals with Medicaid coverage, this collaborative model is designed to help primary care providers reduce their paperwork and no-show visit rates, as well as time spent coordinating social services, delivering behavioral healthcare, and managing referrals.

Through its relationship with Waymark, Aetna Better Health of Virginia will supplement its current care coordination team for members at risk of elevated care costs associated with multiple chronic conditions, and provide those individuals with targeted health and social-care related resources. Waymark’s care team – in consultation with patients and their providers – will design a plan and action steps to support individuals as they work to achieve their healthcare goals.

“Our program will engage members with a team of clinicians and community health workers to address care gaps with an acute focus on disparities reduction,” said Rajaie Batniji MD PhD, CEO, Waymark, who is also a physician caring for patients with Medicaid benefits who lack housing. “Waymark is excited to bring our care model to the Commonwealth of Virginia and partner with Aetna Better Health of Virginia to expand capacity for primary care providers and provide additional support to individuals covered by Medicaid.”

Beginning January 2023, Waymark will serve Aetna Better Health of Virginia members throughout the greater Richmond and Tidewater areas.

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