The Medicaid Innovation Collaborative's 2025 SDOH Innovation Challenge

LOS ANGELES - March 26, 2025 - PRLog -- Innovators invited to apply for a chance to engage with state and health plan leaders and explore future piloting and contracting opportunities

Los Angeles, CA – The Medicaid Innovation Collaborative (MIC), powered by Acumen America, in partnership with State Medicaid Programs in Colorado and New Mexico, the Virginia Center for Health Innovation, and Medicaid Managed Care Organizations (MCOs) in Virginia, has launched the 2025 SDOH Innovation Challenge to identify and support scalable, tech-enabled solutions that address critical health-related social needs for Medicaid enrollees.

With a focus on food and nutrition security, housing affordability and quality, and transportation services, the challenge seeks innovative interventions that can help Medicaid enrollees overcome systemic barriers to care and improve health outcomes.

Finalists will present their solutions at the SDOH Innovation Showcase in June 2025, engaging directly with Medicaid leaders, health plans, and policymakers to explore potential future piloting and long-term contracting opportunities.

State Leadership & Partner Engagement
This initiative is made possible through the commitment and leadership of key Medicaid agencies and health plans across three states: the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy & Financing (Health First Colorado), the New Mexico Health Care Authority, and the Virginia Center for Health Innovation (VCHI).

"This collaboration represents a unique opportunity for states and health plans to partner with innovative companies working to overcome the critical barriers Medicaid enrollees face in addressing their social needs," said Veenu Aulakh, Executive Director of the Medicaid Innovation Collaborative. "By leveraging technology and new models of care, we have the potential to improve health outcomes, reduce costs, and create a more sustainable system for Medicaid members."

By integrating tech-enabled, scalable solutions into the Medicaid ecosystem, MIC and its state partners hope to:
Improve access to essential resources for Medicaid enrollees.
Reduce cost of care and improve the health of Medicaid members.
Encourage public-private collaboration to develop long-term, sustainable interventions.

Who Should Apply?
Health-tech startups & social impact organizations with scalable solutions.
Companies & scalable nonprofits addressing social determinants of health (SDOH).
Organizations experienced in serving marginalized and vulnerable populations.

Eligible applicants must:
Have a scalable solution with a demonstrated positive impact.
Serve Medicaid or low-income populations.
Employ at least 5 team members (including contractors).
Have at least $100K in annual revenue.
Show early evidence of cost savings and effectiveness.

Key Dates & Application Timeline

• Application Deadline: April 11, 2025
• Finalist Notifications: May 26, 2025
• SDOH Innovation Showcase: June 12, 2025

How to Apply
https://acumenamerica.org/apply

Media Contact:
medicaid@acumen.org