Patient-Centered Health Care Home
Many people in the United States do not have access to high quality primary care. There is substantial evidence indicating that sufficient access to high quality primary care results in lower overall health care costs and lower use of higher cost services, such as specialists, emergency rooms, and inpatient care. A large amount of the nation’s dollars are spent on health care. This large budget affects providers, patients, employers, and payers such as Medicaid, Medicare, and private insurers. This is a primary concern in many states including, Minnesota.
There are significant gaps in the quality of health care that patients in the United States receive. The current health care payment and delivery system is particularly poor at providing care for people with chronic conditions. As a result of these factors, policy makers debated over proposals that can actually be effective. Some of these proposals aimed for reducing cost, focusing on patient, and improving quality of care. An example of a proposal that focused on patient-centered care and increased quality of care is the creation and introduction of Patient-Centered Health Care Home (PCHCH), also known as “Medical Home.” The introduction of the PCHCH in Minnesota will increase patients’ accessibility to health care services, give them power to be involved in decisions regarding their care, have continuity of care with their physicians, prevent duplication of services, reduce health care cost, and improve quality of care.
Policy Strategy
According to Minnesota Department of Health (2013) health care home also known as “Medical Home” is a new form of health care model that focuses on continuity of care and engagement of patients and their families, especially those with chronic diseases and disabilities. This health reform model legislation was passed in May 2008 in Minnesota.