Improving care for adults with serious mental illness through Medicaid ACOs

Medicaid Accountable Care Organizations (ACO) and Quality of Care for Adults with Serious Mental Illness (SMI)

NIH-funded research Boston Medical Center · NIH-11031995

This study is looking at how different Medicaid programs can improve care for adults with serious mental health issues, especially those who are low-income and may also be facing challenges like homelessness or other health problems, to find out what works best for helping them feel better.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionBoston Medical Center NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Boston, United States)
Project IDNIH-11031995 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates how Medicaid Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) can enhance the quality of care for adults with serious mental illness (SMI). It focuses on understanding the impact of financial incentives and care coordination on health outcomes for low-income individuals with SMI. The study will analyze various ACO models across different states to identify which features lead to better care and address the unique challenges faced by this population, such as homelessness and chronic health conditions. By examining these factors, the research aims to provide insights into optimizing care delivery for vulnerable patients.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are low-income adults aged 21 and older who are diagnosed with serious mental illness and receive care through Medicaid.

Not a fit: Patients who do not have serious mental illness or those who are not enrolled in Medicaid may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved health outcomes and reduced premature mortality for adults with serious mental illness.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research on Medicare ACOs has shown success in improving care quality, suggesting that similar approaches may be beneficial for Medicaid ACOs, although this specific focus on SMI is novel.

Where this research is happening

Boston, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.