Health equity
Use the resources on this portal to learn how you can provide culturally sensitive care and advance health equity for the members, patients and communities we serve.
Advancing health equity in our care & coverage
We have a longstanding commitment to improving the health and well-being of the diverse communities we serve. In our Advancing health equity in our care and coverage cornerstone, we are not just defining and measuring but actively working on understanding the stories the measures are telling us and improving the process for patients and members. We know our work is never done; our approach to eliminating any gaps in care and areas we're focused on right now are listed below.
Welcome, include and value all
Everyone benefits - patients, members, colleagues and the community - when we create a workplace where everyone is welcome, included and valued. When we understand and embrace our differences, we are better colleagues. We work together more collaboratively to best serve our patients and members. Plus, we're more creative and more connected. Overall, we do our jobs better.
Our cornerstone is focused on building a workforce that represents those we serve, creating equitable policies and practices for our patients, members, colleagues and community; and ensuring every person is welcome, included and valued.
Partner with the community
We believe in the power of good - of good deeds, good feelings and good people working together.
Getting good care in a clinic or hospital is important. But, it's only a small part of what makes us healthy. Health also has to do with a good education, a good environment and a good community. That's why we're committed to being a partner for good.
We're stronger when we can pull organizations together to achieve common goals. Health equity is an important part of each of our community partnerships, and with like-minded organizations, we push for change.
Led by our Community Relations team, our commitment in this cornerstone is to engage in community partnerships and advocacy to advance health equity, education and economic development
Our Health Equity Leadership Cabinet
Our Health Equity Leadership Cabinet is providing leadership, direction and oversight to advance health equity.
Where can I find out more about the health of a particular group of people?
Please use this page for additional information and resources on advancing health equity.
- The Minnesota Statewide Health Assessment offers information on the health and well-being of populations across the state of Minnesota and within our communities.
- Cultural Responsiveness - Culture Care Connection offers tools to aid health care organizations, providers, and staff in their efforts to learn more about culture responsiveness.
- OutFront Minnesota Offers resources and support aimed toward helping LBGTQ individuals and achieving LGBTQ equality in Minnesota.
- DocsWithDisabilities Initiative - YouTube The Docs with Disabilities initiative is a community of researchers, policy makers, trainees and clinicians with disabilities. Their aim is to build more inclusive educational environments for trainees with disabilities and increase representation of disabled providers in the healthcare workforce.
NCQA Health Equity Accreditation
In 2023, the National Committee for Quality Assurance awarded HealthPartners Medicaid plans Health Equity Accreditation status. This accreditation demonstrates to our members, patients, employers and the community that HealthPartners is committed to addressing health disparities and improving health equity.
Why should I use a professional interpreter rather than a patients family member or friend?
A: You should call an interpreter unless the patient refuses. Here's why:
Accuracy -X-Rayed or microwaved? In one study using ad hoc interpreters, between a quarter and half of the words and phrases were incorrectly communicated. A Minneapolis teenager translating for his mother told her she was going to be microwaved instead of x-rayed. Clear communication leads to more accurate diagnosis and treatment.
Ethical care - Use of family members and friends as interpreters strips patients of confidentiality and privacy and it can reap inaccurate information, if the patient is embarrassed to reveal personal information to a relative or friend.
It's the law - The federal Office of Civil Rights has consistently ruled that trained and qualified interpreters must be provided in health care settings. Courts have held that a physician's failure to overcome language barriers for non-English speaking patients can establish a lack of informed consent to treatment. Judges have ruled that doctors are responsible for making certain that they fully understand the complaints of patients, whether or not the patient speaks English.
Fast Facts - Healthy Equity Edition
Additional Health Equity Resources
- Language/Interpreter services Language/Interpreter services
- Minnesota Center for Health Equity Minnesota Center for Health Equity
- Minnesota Department of Health's Resources Library for Advancing Health Equity Minnesota Department of Health's Resources Library for Advancing Health Equity
- Minnesota Public Health Data Access Portal
- International Institute of Minnesota
- Findhelp - Learn how to find free or reduced-cost programs that can help
- PIP Healthy Start for MN Children.
- This performance improvement project (PIP) centers on ensuring a "healthy start" for Minnesota children by improving services provided to pregnant women and infants, focusing on reducing health disparities. Interventions will include working with a wide variety of partners to improve access and coordination of resources to help mothers and children get the right care at the right time and in the right setting.
Help support diversity in our community
Clinician information on race, language, ethnicity and cultural responsiveness
Please share your information with us, on a voluntary basis, about your race, ethnicity and cultural competencies so we can have this information available when members seek help with finding providers for care.
We hope clinicians in your practices will complete the Clinical Information for Diversity and Health Equity form to support our ethnically, racially and culturally diverse communities.
The information will be used to:
- Assist members requesting specific types of provider attributes from HealthPartners Nurse Navigators and Member Services staff.
- Ensure our provider network represents the diversity within our communities.
You have the option to let us know if you do not want your information displayed in our directories.
RideCare
How to get no-cost rides to medical appointments
HealthPartners recently created a new video that informs and reminds people about RideCare, a transportation service that's available to HealthPartners members with Medicaid plans. The video provides an overview of what RideCare is, who can use it, and how to access it.
Who is eligible?
Please note there are specific eligibility requirements for RideCare services. Members can contact the RideCare department to find out more.
Unite Us Community Resource Directory
Search local resources, assistance and support | HealthPartners
With Unite Us, members can get details and contact information for social services and organizations nearby, including help with: food & nutrition, housing, employment, childcare & parenting, transportation, education, financial assistance, and more. Feel free to share this link with your patients.
Other Resources:
Findhelp - Learn how to find free or reduced-cost programs that can help