www.MercyCareAZ.org
February 24, 2022
Health Coach Pilot Program Announced 2/8/2022

Applicable to: Mercy Care Complete Care, Mercy Care RBHA, Mercy Care Long Term Care, Mercy Care DCS CHP and Mercy Care DD
                           
On February 8, 2022, IHS announced the launch of the National Health Coach Pilot Project, a much-anticipated effort that will deliver health coach training to community and health professionals throughout Indian Country. The IHS aims to further advance our commitment to improving health care service delivery and enhancing critical public health services to strengthen the health status of American Indians and Alaska Natives.

Two cohorts of 50 participants each will participate in each training session. The first cohort will complete their six-month training from April to October 2022. Eligible participants include community and health care professionals working across tribal communities and clinical settings who provide health information and patient education to Native patients and communities. After completing this training, participants will be able to use current evidence-based health coaching techniques to facilitate improved patient care. Applications for the first cohort must be submitted by March 16, and all applicants are required to meet the criteria outlined on the project website.

Upon completion of the pilot project in 2024, the IHS will use the results and feedback from participants to assess the feasibility of establishing a health and wellness coach and behavior change approach at the clinical and community levels.

The health and wellness coaching field is an emerging discipline that champions healthy behavior changes as a means of avoiding, reducing the incidence, or lessening the effects of chronic lifestyle-related diseases such as heart disease and diabetes. Health and wellness coaches are experts on human behavior, motivation, and health, helping their clients set and achieve health goals and build new habits.

For more information on the pilot project, please visit the National Health Coach Pilot Project website. If you have any questions, you can reach out to Project Manager Michelle Archuleta.
 
As always, don't hesitate to contact your Mercy Care Network Management Representative with any questions or comments. You can find this notice and all other provider notices on our Mercy Care website.

Thanks for all you do!

                           
www.MercyCareAZ.org