Healthcare Homes

What is a Healthcare Home?

A Healthcare Home is an alternative approach to the delivery of health care services that promises better patient experience and better results than traditional care. We believe that helping people lead healthier lives can greatly reduce the negative impacts of living with long-term mental illness, substance use and chronic medical conditions. Services are coordinated in a way that recognizes the client as an individual ~ not just a patient.

The Affordable Care Act (passed by Congress in 2010) provides a variety of approaches aimed at improving the U.S. healthcare system. Section 2703 of the Act allows states to amend their Medicaid state plans to provide Healthcare Homes for enrollees with chronic illnesses.

Clients eligible for a Healthcare Home must meet one of the following three conditions:

A serious and persistent mental illness / CPR eligible adults and kids with SED
A mental health condition and substance use disorder and/or
A mental health condition and/or substance use disorder and one other chronic health condition

OR one of these chronic health conditions:

Diabetes
Cardiovascular disease
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) / Asthma / Chronic Bronchitis / Emphysema
Overweight (BMI > 25)
Tobacco Use
Developmental Disability

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) expect healthcare homes to:
– Lower rates of emergency room use
– Reduce in-hospital admissions and re-admissions
– Reduce healthcare costs
– Decrease reliance on long-term care facilities
– Improve experience of care, quality of life and consumer satisfaction

A Nurse Care Manager is available to help you identify and achieve your healthcare and wellness goals; provide you with access to health education opportunities addressing nutrition, physical activity and smoking cessation; provide comprehensive transitional care including follow-up from inpatient and other settings; help you access a family doctor and other medical care providers; and assist you in finding community resources and support.