SHO# 21-001 RE: Opportunities in Medicaid and CHIP to Address Social Determinants of Health (SDOH)

The purpose of this State Health Official (SHO) letter is to describe opportunities under Medicaid and CHIP to better address social determinants of health (SDOH)1 and to support states with designing programs, benefits, and services that can more effectively improve population health, reduce disability, and lower overall health care costs in the Medicaid and CHIP programs by addressing SDOH. This letter describes: (1) several overarching principles that CMS expects states to adhere to within their Medicaid and CHIP programs when offering services and supports that address SDOH; (2) services and supports that are commonly covered in Medicaid and CHIP programs to address SDOH; and (3) federal authorities and other opportunities under Medicaid and CHIP that states can use to address SDOH. A table that summarizes the information on key federal authorities for addressing SDOH is also included in an appendix.