Medical and Health Homes
According to the Joint Principles of PCMHs, at patient centered medical/health homes:
- Patients have ongoing relationships with their physicians and care teams.
- Care teams are physician-led and can consist of nurses, physician’s assistants, and behavioral health specialists, among others.
- Care is integrated across both health and social systems.
- Patients are engaged and active stakeholders in their care and in quality improvement measures.
- Information technology is utilized for improving patient care, including storing patient medical records, collecting data and improving patient-physician communication.
- Quality improvement and evidence-based medicine are integral parts of the practice.
There are currently four national accrediting organizations that provide formal PCMH recognition. These are:
To learn more about PCMHs:
- Patient Centered Medical Home Resource Center
- Patient Centered Primary Care Collaborative
- National Academy for State Health Policy
- Commonwealth Fund Initiative
- National Center for Quality Assurance
OUR REGION’S SAFETY NET CLINICS AS PATIENT CENTERED MEDICAL HOMES
In safety-net settings, PCMHs facilitate more integrated care that serves the needs of the whole patient; increase data collection through the use of IT systems; reduce costs while improving quality of care by using care teams; and personalize patient interactions.
Throughout our regions, efforts are underway in all jurisdictions to provide low-income, uninsured populations with primary care PCMHs. For example, in the District of Columbia, the DC Primary Care Association (DCPCA) launched the Patient-Centered Medical Homes (PCMH) Transformation Recognition Initiative for its member organizations in 2011. DCPCA provides Technical Assistance, learning sessions, and resources to ensure that participating organizations are positioned to achieve National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) Level 3 Recognition by 2014. With DCPCA’s support, 2 clinics have already accomplished this for at least one of their sites. In Northern Virginia, the Northern Virginia Health Foundation has led learning sessions and supported Technical Assistance around NCQA PCMH recognition in Northern Virginia Clinics, which have contributed to Arlington Pediatric Center’s designation as a Level 3 PCMH, in conjunction with assistance from other supporters.
In 2012 CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield awarded 3-year grants for furthering PCMH efforts to several clinics or primary care organizations in DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia, including Unity Health Care, Spanish Catholic Center, and Mary’s Center in DC; the Primary Care Coalition in Montgomery County; Greater Baden Medical Services, Inc. in Prince George’s County as a partner of Community Clinic, Inc. Collaborative; and Arlington Free Clinic in Northern Virginia.
