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Social Drivers of Health

What are Social Drivers of Health?

Social Drivers of Health (SDoH), or social needs, are non-clinical, societal, and environmental conditions which prevent individuals from accessing proper health care. This can include difficulties with:

  • Housing access and safety
  • Health care
  • Employment
  • Nutrition, social and behavioral support
  • Transportation
  • Technology and education 

 

Female provider looking at a medical chart

Elements of Social Drivers of Health 

Protocol

The SDoH protocol requires those who provide services to UnitedHealthcare members, to use ICD-10 (or successor diagnostic codes) to capture SDoH information.  

Z-codes

Z-codes are part of the ICD-10 code list. We require you to routinely screen and submit the appropriate Z55 through Z65 ICD-10 code(s) documentation when a patient has social needs. 

Health Equity

SDoH and Cultural Competency play a vital role in ensuring health equity for members. 

Bridge the health care disparity gap

Complete our free CME Driving Health Equity Through Technology course to explore how our health care technology can help address Social Drivers of Health needs for your patients.

Go to course Bridge the health care disparity gap

Social Drivers of Health Training and Education

Featured course

Complete our self-paced course to learn more about SDoH.

Free CME Credit Courses

Optum Behavioral Health
You have opportunities to receive CME credits through our partnership with OptumHealth Education. 

Getting Started with UnitedHealthcare
Discover how you can use the UnitedHealthcare Provider Portal for all of your online services, including claims, eligibility, prior authorization, referrals and SDoH Z-codes.

Social Drivers of Health resources

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