Use of the Medical Home Model to Connect the Uninsured to Care

The state of the nation's health care system was a catalyst for Congress approving the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act in March 2010. In addition to reforming the health care system, this legislation intends to lower health care costs and improve the nation's health through increased access to primary care services and care coordination. Patients often receive fragmented, high-cost care as they do not understand how or where to access the many services available in the healthcare system. The Medical Home Model, in theory, provides high-quality healthcare by integrating primary care with care coordination services. Healthy Howard, Inc, a non-profit organization, embraced this concept and implemented the Healthy Howard Health Plan, an innovative health care program that serves uninsured adults in Howard County, Maryland. The Plan offers members a primary care home, access to specialists, and assistance obtaining free or reduced-priced medications. Chase Brexton Health Services is the Plan's primary care home and provides comprehensive care including acute, chronic, and preventive services. The Plan's Care Coordinator, located at Chase Brexton, helps members navigate through the complex medical system by connecting patients to the care they need. The convenience of providing primary care and care coordination in one setting creates an efficient, continuous delivery of care that can improve patients' outcomes and lower healthcare costs. These services address one of the largest challenges in healthcare delivery and our efforts are a model for programs seeking to transform and improve the way individuals access the healthcare system.