A new U-M study found that community health workers (CHW) employed by Medicaid health plans can help low-income people who face barriers to care rely less on the emergency room and more on outpatient care. The new findings come from the most rigorous study of a real-world CHW program to date, a randomized controlled trial conducted by the University of Michigan Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation in partnership with local and state organizations and agencies. The CHWs in the study worked with Medicaid participants to make a plan for their health and connect them with social and health care services in their local area.
