---
title: 3 Things Health Plans Must Do to Understand Their Impact on Health Equity
description: Health Plans across the US are asking questions about Health Equity. Where are the biggest disparities, & where can we make the most impactful investments?
image: https://blog.pocp.com/hubfs/People_equity.png
---
[](https://www.pocp.com/)
# Accelerating client's success
# using Health IT and
# business process solutions...
[Learn More](https://www.pocp.com/the-pocp-story/)
# Simplifying
# regulatory
## compliance...
[Learn More](https://www.pocp.com/regulatory-resource-center/)
# Creating value in today's
# healthcare ecosystem...
[Learn More](https://www.pocp.com/our-client/)
- Consulting
- [Strategy & Market Intelligence](https://www.pocp.com/strategy-market-intelligence/)
- [Education & Research](https://www.pocp.com/education-research/)
- [Value-Based Care Interoperability Roadmap](https://info.pocp.com/en-us/value-based-care-interoperability-strategy-and-roadmap)
- [Multi-stakeholder Collaboratives, Program Design and Management](https://www.pocp.com/multi-stakeholder-initiatives_program-design_management)
- [EHR Training Programs](https://www.pocp.com/ehr-training-programs/)
- [Life Sciences](https://www.pocp.com/life-sciences)
- [Regulatory Resource Center](https://www.pocp.com/regulatory-resource-center)
- About Us
- [The POCP Story](https://www.pocp.com/the-pocp-story/)
- [Our Clients](https://www.pocp.com/our-client/)
- [Health & IT Vendors](https://www.pocp.com/our-client/health-it-vendors/)
- [Payers & PBMS](https://www.pocp.com/our-client/payers-pbms/)
- [Accountable Care](https://www.pocp.com/our-client/accountable-care/)
- [Health Information Exchange](https://www.pocp.com/resource-library/health-information-exchange/)
- [Our Team](https://www.pocp.com/our-team/)
- [Government Contracting](https://info.pocp.com/gsa)
- [Press](https://www.pocp.com/press/)
- [Calendar](https://info.pocp.com/en-us/events)
- [Careers at POCP](https://www.pocp.com/the-pocp-story/careers-at-pocp/)
- Insights
- [Articles and Industry Comments](https://www.pocp.com/articles/)
- [Blog](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/)
- [Newsletters HIT Perspectives](https://www.pocp.com/insight/newsletters-2/)
- [Newsletters Biopharma](https://www.pocp.com/newsletters-biopharma/)
- [POCP Industry Reports](https://www.pocp.com/industry-reports)
- [POCP Industry Reports](https://www.pocp.com/industry-reports)
- [ePrior Authorization’s Real Benefits: Reducing Frictional Costs and Speeding Time to Therapy](https://www.pocp.com/downloads/ePAReport)
- [Real-Time Pharmacy Benefit Check Report](https://www.pocp.com/pocp-industry-reports/real-time-pharmacy-benefit-check-report/)
- [Fighting the Opioid Epidemic at the State- and Rx-Level Report](https://www.pocp.com/downloads/fighting-opioid-epidemic-at-rx-level-report)
- [ePrescribing State Law On-Demand](https://www.pocp.com/downloads/eprescribing-state-law-on-demand/)
- [State Law Review](https://www.pocp.com/statelawreview/)
- [Navigator](https://www.pocp.com/navigator/)
- [Podcasts](https://info.pocp.com/en-us/the-dish-on-health-it-podcast)
- [Presentations and Webinars](https://www.pocp.com/presentations/)
- [Resource Library](https://www.pocp.com/resource-library/)
- [White Papers, Webinars and Case Studies](https://www.pocp.com/white-papers-webinars-and-case-studies-2/)
- [Our video channel](https://www.pocp.com/our-video-channel)
- [Contact](https://www.pocp.com/contact/)
- Consulting
- [Strategy & Market Intelligence](https://www.pocp.com/strategy-market-intelligence/)
- [Education & Research](https://www.pocp.com/education-research/)
- [Value-Based Care Interoperability Roadmap](https://info.pocp.com/en-us/value-based-care-interoperability-strategy-and-roadmap)
- [Multi-stakeholder Collaboratives, Program Design and Management](https://www.pocp.com/multi-stakeholder-initiatives_program-design_management)
- [EHR Training Programs](https://www.pocp.com/ehr-training-programs/)
- [Life Sciences](https://www.pocp.com/life-sciences)
- [Regulatory Resource Center](https://www.pocp.com/regulatory-resource-center)
- About Us
- [The POCP Story](https://www.pocp.com/the-pocp-story/)
- [Our Clients](https://www.pocp.com/our-client/)
- [Health & IT Vendors](https://www.pocp.com/our-client/health-it-vendors/)
- [Payers & PBMS](https://www.pocp.com/our-client/payers-pbms/)
- [Accountable Care](https://www.pocp.com/our-client/accountable-care/)
- [Health Information Exchange](https://www.pocp.com/resource-library/health-information-exchange/)
- [Our Team](https://www.pocp.com/our-team/)
- [Government Contracting](https://info.pocp.com/gsa)
- [Press](https://www.pocp.com/press/)
- [Calendar](https://info.pocp.com/en-us/events)
- [Careers at POCP](https://www.pocp.com/the-pocp-story/careers-at-pocp/)
- Insights
- [Articles and Industry Comments](https://www.pocp.com/articles/)
- [Blog](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/)
- [Newsletters HIT Perspectives](https://www.pocp.com/insight/newsletters-2/)
- [Newsletters Biopharma](https://www.pocp.com/newsletters-biopharma/)
- [POCP Industry Reports](https://www.pocp.com/industry-reports)
- [POCP Industry Reports](https://www.pocp.com/industry-reports)
- [ePrior Authorization’s Real Benefits: Reducing Frictional Costs and Speeding Time to Therapy](https://www.pocp.com/downloads/ePAReport)
- [Real-Time Pharmacy Benefit Check Report](https://www.pocp.com/pocp-industry-reports/real-time-pharmacy-benefit-check-report/)
- [Fighting the Opioid Epidemic at the State- and Rx-Level Report](https://www.pocp.com/downloads/fighting-opioid-epidemic-at-rx-level-report)
- [ePrescribing State Law On-Demand](https://www.pocp.com/downloads/eprescribing-state-law-on-demand/)
- [State Law Review](https://www.pocp.com/statelawreview/)
- [Navigator](https://www.pocp.com/navigator/)
- [Podcasts](https://info.pocp.com/en-us/the-dish-on-health-it-podcast)
- [Presentations and Webinars](https://www.pocp.com/presentations/)
- [Resource Library](https://www.pocp.com/resource-library/)
- [White Papers, Webinars and Case Studies](https://www.pocp.com/white-papers-webinars-and-case-studies-2/)
- [Our video channel](https://www.pocp.com/our-video-channel)
- [Contact](https://www.pocp.com/contact/)
# Insights: Brief Points of View
# POCP Blog
---
## 3 Things Health Plans Must Do to Understand Their Impact on Health Equity
- February 23, 2022
- By [Teresa Younkin](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/author/teresa-younkin)
- [0 Comment](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/3-things-health-plans-must-do-to-understand-their-impact-on-health-equity#comments-listing)
Share this story:
By [Teresa Younkin](https://www.pocp.com/team/teresa-younkin/), Senior consultant and [Ed Daniels](https://www.pocp.com/team/ed-daniels/), Senior consultant
Health Plans across the United States are asking questions about Health Equity in their communities, among their employers, with their providers, and in their own organizations. Where are the biggest health disparities, and where can we make the most impactful investments? How do we measure up against our own goals? Where do we stand in comparison to other Health Plans? We have identified three key areas that all Health Plans should prioritize to measure where they stand in terms of Health Equity and to obtain the necessary information to establish a plan of action.
First, let’s define Health Equity. According to the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, “Health equity means that everyone has a fair and just opportunity to be as healthy as possible. This requires removing obstacles to health such as poverty, discrimination, and their consequences, including powerlessness and lack of access to good jobs with fair pay, quality education and housing, safe environments, and health care.”1 Racism, coupled with a history of mistreatment, has created mistrust of health care providers and the health care establishment. Embedded in this definition is the goal for everyone to have a fair and just opportunity to be as healthy as possible.
Critical success factors for Health Plans involve three key activities, including:
### **Key Activity #1 – Assess and measure health equity in our communities**
Health Plans have extensive clinical and economic knowledge available from their clinical and business teams. Plans can use these data resources to provide insight into the health and social environment of their members, customers, providers, and communities. Additional data are available from provider networks, including hospitals and physician practices and from local, regional, state, and federal government agencies. Compiling and analyzing these data provide the ingredients Plans need to measure and monitor health equity in their communities and among critical subpopulations. Each Plan should ask the question, “Controlling for age, sex, and certain other factors, what are the impacts of social determinants of health such as poverty, unequal access to health care, lack of education, stigma, and racism?” Each of those determinants, along with others that may be unique to each region, make up the contributing factors that lead to health inequities.3
Collaborating with their community partners, each Plan should make a concerted effort to understand and fill data gaps to quantitatively measure the impact of inequities in their communities. Establish an ongoing collection and monitoring process using the same data analytic tools you use in other aspects of your business to create a Health Equity Dashboard. The first attempt will not be perfect, but it is important to share ownership in the development of the dashboard, communicating and understanding that this is an iterative process. Be willing to share it openly, despite its flaws, to obtain honest feedback. Collaborate in your review of the Dashboard, and discuss working together over time to improve and validate the measures.
### **Key Activity #2 – Identify systemic obstacles to Health Equity within the Plan itself, within Provider organizations, and with customers leveraging multi-stakeholder initiatives**
Only recently have we, as a society, realized that mechanisms generating health disparities are built into the very fabric of our organizations, our government programs, our educational system, our drug development processes, and our health care delivery system. Because we have grown up with our respective organizations, and because we deal with them every day, we don’t have the benefit of perspective. And, we haven’t built the analytics to understand how we perpetuate health disparities through our routine processes.
Could we augment our current plans to be more inclusive of new populations? Could we recruit more providers who differ from our standard provider profile? For example, providers might be currently serving a patient base including communities of color, immigrant communities, impoverished communities, and communities suffering from violence and drug addiction.
Key Activity #2 includes systematically evaluating our own organizations, as well as our provider networks and customer organizations, to identify activities that negatively impact health equity, as well as those that enhance health equity with innovative activities that could be amplified to make a positive difference.
This assessment should use the Plan’s internal team members who have relationships within the community to invite participation from representatives of provider organizations, customer organizations, and representatives of disenfranchised communities to create a wholistic view of their communities to identify disparities.
By quantitatively and qualitatively understanding the positive and negative impacts of each Plan’s own day to day business processes, we can identify and monitor our progress as we plan and work to resolve these limitations.
### **Key Activity #3 – Inventory community resources and determine their strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats**
Within each Plan’s service areas there are a wide variety of programs and organizations that are working to address health disparities. These include faith communities, government agencies, non-profit organizations, and for-profit companies. Even though Plans may know these resources exist, we need a deeper dive to understand where gaps may exist in the market. We need an exhaustive inventory of these resources, including their capacity and an assessment of their potential to extend services and to interconnect and coordinate with new Health Equity programs that your Plan may implement.
Every day Plans build new and improved processes that serve their own organizations. Plans assess their own procedural strengths and weaknesses and do what is necessary to improve. Plans evaluate, hire, discipline, and train their own personnel. Plans cultivate leaders and place them in positions of authority. Plans build software and connect networks to monitor their operations and communicate with their providers, customers, and members. Plans can use these skill sets and tools to identify prospective new partners and additional community resources. Plans should invite members the community identified in Key Activity #1 to participate in this inventory and evaluation process. By having a Plan’s skilled and educated team members collaborate with community members who personally experience and observe the day-to-day impact of organizations, we can work together to identify new community partners that can help us achieve greater equity in both our operations and in our services.
### **Maximizing Health Equity going forward**
These three key activities are critical to understanding where each Health Plan stands with respect to the communities it serves, and to the goal of achieving health equity not just for our Plan members, but for all community members.
Beyond the measurement and assessment activities described in Key Activities 1, 2 and 3, Plans need to put this information to work. Using the information gathered, and the community relationships established through this inclusive process, Plans can establish a strategy to make an ongoing positive impact on health equity in all the communities they serve, while creating greater trust and inclusion in the process.
Does your organization need support with the health IT aspects of your health equity initiatives? Reach out to us at teresa.younkin@pocp.com and ed.daniels@pocp.com. We are happy to help!
- Post Categories
- [health equity](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/health-equity)
# POCP Blog
---
Search
- There are no suggestions because the search field is empty.
### RECENT POSTS
### CATEGORIES
- [Interoperability (39)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/interoperability)
- [Health IT Policy (38)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/health-it-policy)
- [CMS (28)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/cms)
- [EHR (24)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/ehr)
- [FHIR (24)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/fhir)
- [Health IT Trends (20)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/health-it-trends)
- [ePrescribing (19)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/eprescribing)
- [Prior Authorization (16)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/prior-authorization)
- [Real-Time Benefit Check (15)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/real-time-benefit-check)
- [Real-Time Pharmacy Benefit Check (15)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/real-time-pharmacy-benefit-check)
- [Regulatory Trends (15)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/regulatory-trends)
- [APIs (13)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/apis)
- [Artificial Intelligence (12)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/artificial-intelligence)
- [electronic prior authorization (12)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/electronic-prior-authorization)
- [health IT (12)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/health-it)
- [Life Sciences (10)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/life-sciences)
- [NCPDP (10)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/ncpdp)
- [Policy (10)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/policy)
- [electronic health records (9)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/electronic-health-records)
- [pharmacy interoperability (9)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/pharmacy-interoperability)
- [ASTP (8)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/astp)
- [CMS NPRM (8)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/cms-nprm)
- [health information exchange (8)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/health-information-exchange)
- [HL7 (7)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/hl7)
- [Payer (7)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/payer)
- [Specialty Pharmacy (7)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/specialty-pharmacy)
- [Standards Development (7)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/standards-development)
- [TEFCA (7)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/tefca)
- [Value-Based Care (7)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/value-based-care)
- [e-Prescribing (7)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/e-prescribing)
- [electronic prescribing (7)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/electronic-prescribing)
- [Da Vinci Project (6)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/da-vinci-project)
- [HTI-2 (6)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/hti-2)
- [ONC (6)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/onc)
- [Strategy and Research (6)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/strategy-and-research)
- [healthcare reform (6)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/healthcare-reform)
- [21st Century Cures Act (5)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/21st-century-cures-act)
- [Consent (5)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/consent)
- [EPCS (5)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/epcs)
- [Federal Healthcare Policy (5)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/federal-healthcare-policy)
- [HHS (5)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/hhs)
- [Information Blocking (5)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/information-blocking)
- [NCPDP SCRIPT (5)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/ncpdp-script)
- [Patient Data (5)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/patient-data)
- [Payer Interoperability (5)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/payer-interoperability)
- [Pharmacy (5)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/pharmacy)
- [health equity (5)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/health-equity)
- [pharmaceutical marketing (5)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/pharmaceutical-marketing)
- [population health (5)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/population-health)
- [Clinical Decision Support (4)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/cds)
- [Digital Health Programs (4)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/digital-health-programs)
- [Digital Therapeutics (4)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/digital-therapeutics)
- [EHR Dashboard (4)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/ehr-dashboard)
- [EHR Usability (4)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/ehr-usability)
- [HIE (4)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/hie)
- [Health Plans (4)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/health-plans)
- [Health Technology Solutions (4)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/health-technology-solutions)
- [Meaningful Use (4)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/meaningful-use)
- [PDMP (4)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/pdmp)
- [Pharmacy Benefit Management (4)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/pharmacy-benefit-management)
- [Strategic roadmap (4)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/strategic-roadmap)
- [burden reduction (4)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/burden-reduction)
- [ePrior Authorization (4)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/eprior-authorization)
- [healthcare regulations (4)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/healthcare-regulations)
- [pharmacy advance practice (4)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/pharmacy-advance-practice)
- [price transparency (4)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/price-transparency)
- [COVID-19 (3)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/covid-19)
- [Clinical Calculators (3)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/clinical-calculators)
- [Data Governance (3)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/data-governance)
- [Diabetes Care (3)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/diabetes-care)
- [Digital Health (3)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/digital-health)
- [Drug price transparency (3)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/drug-price-transparency)
- [EHR Reports (3)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/ehr-reports)
- [HIMSS (3)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/himss)
- [Healthcare AI (3)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/healthcare-ai)
- [Implementation (3)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/implementation)
- [Innovation (3)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/innovation)
- [Medication Therapy Management (3)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/mtm)
- [National Patient Identifier (3)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/national-patient-identifier)
- [Patient Safety (3)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/patient-safety)
- [Pharmacy Benefit (3)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/pharmacy-benefit)
- [Request for Information (3)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/request-for-information)
- [Speed to Therapy (3)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/speed-to-therapy)
- [state prescribing laws (3)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/state-prescribing-laws)
- [Administrative Burden (2)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/administrative-burden)
- [CDC (2)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/cdc)
- [Centers for Disease Control (2)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/centers-for-disease-control)
- [Controlled Substances (2)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/controlled-substances)
- [Data Efficiency (2)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/data-efficiency)
- [EHR Certification (2)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/ehr-certification)
- [EHR Guides (2)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/ehr-guides)
- [EHRs (2)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/ehrs)
- [Epic (2)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/epic)
- [Formulary and Benefit (2)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/formulary-and-benefit)
- [H.R. 6 (2)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/h-r-6)
- [Market Assessment (2)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/market-assessment)
- [Medical Benefit (2)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/medical-benefit)
- [Medical Pharmacy Benefit Integration (2)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/medical-pharmacy-benefit-integration)
- [Medicare Payment Reform (2)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/medicare-payment-reform)
- [Medication Adherence (2)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/medication-adherence)
- [Member Data (2)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/member-data)
- [NCPDP Telecommunications Standard Version F6 (2)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/ncpdp-telecommunications-standard-version-f6)
- [ONC Physician Burden Reduction (2)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/onc-physician-burden-reduction)
- [Opioid prescribing laws (2)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/opioid-prescribing-laws)
- [PGx (2)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/pgx)
- [Part D (2)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/part-d)
- [Patient Record Sharing (2)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/patient-record-sharing)
- [Pharmaceutical Manufacturers (2)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/pharmaceutical-manufacturers)
- [Policy monitoring (2)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/policy-monitoring)
- [Pre-approval Information Exchange (2)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/pre-approval-information-exchange)
- [Precision Medicine (2)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/precision-medicine)
- [REMS (2)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/rems)
- [Regulatory landscape (2)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/regulatory-landscape)
- [Specialty Pharmacy Automation (2)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/specialty-pharmacy-automation)
- [Specialty ePrescribing (2)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/specialty-eprescribing)
- [Speed to Medication Therapy (2)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/speed-to-medication-therapy)
- [Telehealth (2)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/telehealth)
- [Telemedicine (2)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/telemedicine)
- [care coordination (2)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/care-coordination)
- [compliance (2)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/compliance)
- [ePA (2)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/epa)
- [eRx (2)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/erx)
- [health dashboards (2)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/health-dashboards)
- [medication management (2)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/medication-management)
- [opioid abuse (2)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/opioid-abuse)
- [patient access (2)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/patient-access)
- [pharmacist (2)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/pharmacist)
- [pharmacy business model (2)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/pharmacy-business-model)
- [prior authorizations (2)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/prior-authorizations)
- [wearables (2)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/wearables)
- [ACO (1)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/aco)
- [AI Policy (1)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/ai-policy)
- [Antikickback Statutes Reform (1)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/antikickback-statutes-reform)
- [Biologics and Biosimilars Naming (1)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/biologics-and-biosimilars-naming)
- [Biosimilars (1)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/biosimilars)
- [Business Process (1)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/business-process)
- [CAQH Phase V Operating Rules (1)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/caqh-phase-v-operating-rules)
- [CARIN Alliance (1)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/carin-alliance)
- [CDS Hooks (1)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/cds-hooks)
- [CMS Attachments Rule (1)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/cms-attachments-rule)
- [CMS-0062P (1)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/cms-0062p)
- [CRD (1)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/crd)
- [Canada Biosimilars Naming (1)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/canada-biosimilars-naming)
- [Canadian ePrescribing (1)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/canadian-eprescribing)
- [Chronic Disease (1)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/chronic-disease)
- [Clinical Quality Language (CQL) (1)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/clinical-quality-language-cql)
- [CodeX (1)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/codex)
- [CoverMyMeds (1)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/covermymeds)
- [DSMO (1)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/dsmo)
- [DTR (1)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/dtr)
- [DTx (1)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/dtx)
- [Data Modernization Initiative (1)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/data-modernization-initiative)
- [Data quality (1)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/data-quality)
- [Designated Standards Maintenance Organizations (1)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/designated-standards-maintenance-organizations)
- [Digital Therapeutics Opportunities (1)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/digital-therapeutics-opportunities)
- [Digital Therapeutics Outlook (1)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/digital-therapeutics-outlook)
- [Discover Alliance (1)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/discover-alliance)
- [Drug Launch (1)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/drug-launch)
- [Drug Manufacturers (1)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/drug-manufacturers)
- [Drug PA (1)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/drug-pa)
- [Drug abuse (1)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/drug-abuse)
- [EHR Apps (1)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/ehr-apps)
- [Enforcement (1)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/enforcement)
- [FDA (1)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/fda)
- [FQHC (1)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/fqhc)
- [Federally Qualified Health Centers (1)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/federally-qualified-health-centers)
- [Fee-for-service (1)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/fee-for-service)
- [Gold-carding (1)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/gold-carding)
- [HIN (1)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/hin)
- [HIPAA (1)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/hipaa)
- [HIT Leaders (1)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/hit-leaders)
- [HTI-4 (1)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/hti-4)
- [Health and Human Services (1)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/health-and-human-services)
- [Health data (1)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/health-data)
- [Health system (1)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/health-system)
- [Healthcare artificial intelligence trends (1)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/healthcare-artificial-intelligence-trends)
- [Human Services (1)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/human-services)
- [Hypertension (1)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/hypertension)
- [I-STOP (1)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/i-stop)
- [Insurance (1)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/insurance)
- [Landscape analysis (1)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/landscape-analysis)
- [MACRA (1)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/macra)
- [MIPS (1)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/mips)
- [Market Intelligence (1)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/market-intelligence)
- [Market Research (1)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/market-research)
- [Medication Therapy Management (1)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/medication-therapy-management)
- [Modernizing Part D CMS-4180-P (1)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/modernizing-part-d-cms-4180-p)
- [NCPDP F&B (1)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/ncpdp-fb)
- [NCPDP SCRIPT 2017071 (1)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/ncpdp-script-2017071)
- [NCPDP Workgroups (1)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/ncpdp-workgroups)
- [NCQA (1)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/ncqa)
- [NPI (1)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/npi)
- [Objective Analysis (1)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/objective-analysis)
- [Outcomes (1)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/outcomes)
- [P2 FHIR Taskforce (1)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/p2-fhir-taskforce)
- [PAS (1)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/pas)
- [PBMs (1)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/pbms)
- [PIE (1)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/pie)
- [POCP News (1)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/pocp-news)
- [Pain Management (1)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/pain-management)
- [Pharmacogenomics (1)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/pharmacogenomics)
- [Population Health Management (1)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/population-health-management)
- [Prescribing Authority (1)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/prescribing-authority)
- [Prescribing signatures (1)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/prescribing-signatures)
- [Prescription Price Transparency (1)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/prescription-price-transparency)
- [Prescription affordability (1)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/prescription-affordability)
- [Prescription drug benefit (1)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/prescription-drug-benefit)
- [Prescription pricing (1)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/prescription-pricing)
- [Public Health (1)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/public-health)
- [Quality Measures (1)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/quality-measures)
- [Quality Reporting (1)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/quality-reporting)
- [RTBT (1)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/rtbt)
- [RTPB (1)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/rtpb)
- [Regulatory overhead (1)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/regulatory-overhead)
- [RelayHealth (1)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/relayhealth)
- [Rx renewal (1)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/rx-renewal)
- [RxBC (1)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/rxbc)
- [Sandbox (1)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/sandbox)
- [Social Determinants of Health (1)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/social-determinants-of-health)
- [Specialty Pharmacy Enrollment (1)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/specialty-pharmacy-enrollment)
- [Specialty medication (1)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/specialty-medication)
- [Stark Anti-Kickback Statute (1)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/stark-anti-kickback-statute)
- [Stark Law Reform (1)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/stark-law-reform)
- [State policy (1)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/state-policy)
- [Surescripts (1)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/surescripts)
- [Telecommunications (1)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/telecommunications)
- [Telehealth / Telemedicine (1)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/telehealth-telemedicine)
- [U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging (1)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/u-s-senate-special-committee-on-aging)
- [Uncategorized (1)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/uncategorized)
- [Virtual Visits (1)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/virtual-visits)
- [Working from home (1)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/working-from-home)
- [X12 (1)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/x12)
- [blockchain (1)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/blockchain)
- [care gaps (1)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/care-gaps)
- [community pharmacy (1)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/community-pharmacy)
- [consumerism (1)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/consumerism)
- [data platforms (1)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/data-platforms)
- [digiceuticals (1)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/digiceuticals)
- [digital health platforms (1)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/digital-health-platforms)
- [eConsent (1)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/econsent)
- [eMedication Management (1)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/emedication-management)
- [healthcare (1)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/healthcare)
- [home health (1)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/home-health)
- [machine learning (1)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/machine-learning)
- [medical deserts (1)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/medical-deserts)
- [patient generated data (1)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/patient-generated-data)
- [payers (1)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/payers)
- [payment model (1)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/payment-model)
- [prescription drug monitoring programs (1)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/prescription-drug-monitoring-programs)
- [rural health (1)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/rural-health)
- [vive (1)](https://blog.pocp.com/blog/tag/vive)
See all
[](https://www.pocp.com)
©2026 Point-of-Care Partners | All Rights Reserved
- [](https://twitter.com/pocpHIT)
- [](http://www.linkedin.com/company/point-of-care-partners)
- [](https://www.pocp.com/pocp-blog/)
```json
{
"@context" : "https://schema.org",
"@type" : "BlogPosting",
"author" : {
"@type" : "Person",
"name" : "Teresa Younkin",
"url" : "https://blog.pocp.com/blog/author/teresa-younkin"
},
"dateModified" : "2022-02-25T21:36:52.602Z",
"datePublished" : "2022-02-23T20:18:53.000Z",
"headline" : "3 Things Health Plans Must Do to Understand Their Impact on Health Equity",
"image" : [ "https://blog.pocp.com/hubfs/People_equity.png" ],
"mainEntityOfPage" : {
"@id" : "https://blog.pocp.com/blog/3-things-health-plans-must-do-to-understand-their-impact-on-health-equity",
"@type" : "WebPage"
},
"publisher" : {
"@type" : "Organization",
"logo" : {
"@type" : "ImageObject",
"url" : "https://blog.pocp.com/hubfs/pocp-logo-2016.jpg"
},
"name" : "Point-of-Care Partners"
}
}
```