Accountable Health Communities (AHC) Health-Related Social Needs Screening Tool
Assessment Rating
Assessment Rating
Description / Purpose
The AHC Health-Related Social Needs Screening Tool identifies needs in five different domains that can be addressed through community services (housing instability, food insecurity, transportation difficulties, utility assistance needs, and interpersonal safety).
The impacts of unmet health-related social needs, such as homelessness, inconsistent access to food, and exposure to violence on health and health care utilization, are well-established. Growing evidence indicates that addressing these and other needs can help reverse their damaging health effects, but screening for social needs is not yet standard clinical practice. The 10-item AHC Health-Related Social Needs Screening Tool, with 16 supplemental questions, can be used to inform the service plan and make referrals to community services.
Target Population: All ages
Administer Time: Not reported
Completed By: Individual respondents answer the questions themselves. A parent or caregiver can answer for an individual, if that makes more sense.
Available Modalities: Pen and paper
Scoring Information: Hand scored. Endorsing certain responses indicates need.
Training Requirements: None specified
Availability: Available for download from https://innovation.cms.gov/files/worksheets/ahcm-screeningtool.pdf
Description / Purpose
The AHC Health-Related Social Needs Screening Tool identifies needs in five different domains that can be addressed through community services (housing instability, food insecurity, transportation difficulties, utility assistance needs, and interpersonal safety).
The impacts of unmet health-related social needs, such as homelessness, inconsistent access to food, and exposure to violence on health and health care utilization, are well-established. Growing evidence indicates that addressing these and other needs can help reverse their damaging health effects, but screening for social needs is not yet standard clinical practice. The 10-item AHC Health-Related Social Needs Screening Tool, with 16 supplemental questions, can be used to inform the service plan and make referrals to community services.
Target Population: All ages
Administer Time: Not reported
Completed By: Individual respondents answer the questions themselves. A parent or caregiver can answer for an individual, if that makes more sense.
Available Modalities: Pen and paper
Scoring Information: Hand scored. Endorsing certain responses indicates need.
Training Requirements: None specified
Availability: Available for download from https://innovation.cms.gov/files/worksheets/ahcm-screeningtool.pdf
Contact Information
The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation
The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation
Contact Information
The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation
The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation