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Health Care Homes

  • Health Care Homes - Homepage
  • Patient Information
  • Sustainability Roadmap
  • Minnesota Care Coordination Effectiveness Study
  • Learning
  • Strategic Planning
  • News & Announcements
  • Background Information

Related Topics

  • DHS Behavioral Health Home Service
  • MDH Disabilities and Special Health Needs
  • MDH Health Care Facilities, Providers and Insurance
  • MDH Health Equity
Contact Info
Health Care Homes
651-201-5421
health.healthcarehomes@state.mn.us

Contact Info

Health Care Homes
651-201-5421
health.healthcarehomes@state.mn.us

Health Care Homes 
Certification and Recertification 
Level Progression

Health Care Homes Foundational Seal Health Care Homes Level 2 Seal Health Care Homes Level 3 Seal

The progressive Health Care Homes framework builds on the original HCH certification and includes the following levels of progression: Foundational Level, Level 2 and Level 3. Organizations may choose to certify at the level appropriate for each clinic.

HCH certified clinics may choose to remain in their current Foundational Level if they continue to meet required criteria and are not required to advance to Level 2 or Level 3. A certified health care home can elect to progress levels within the three year certification period or during the required recertification process if they demonstrate they meet the requirements of Level 2 and/or Level 3.

Progressing levels of certification recognize an organization’s increasing capacity to take on and successfully participate in value- based care payment arrangements and recognizes clinics that are evolving primary care models to reduce disparities, improve value, and address population health. Clinics choosing to seek certification as a Health Care Home cite the benefits of certified status as a “seal of approval” of their patient-centered care delivery model and a symbol of quality care.

Overview of Certification Level Comparison
Foundational LevelLevel 2
Accountable Care for Populations
Level 3
Community Integrated Health Care
Current StandardsBuilds upon Foundational LevelBuilds upon Foundational and Level 2
  • Clarify definitions and language
  • Update recertification timeline to match legislative change
  • Strengthen care coordination systems and partnerships across the medical neighborhood and community support system
  • Enhance whole person integrated care models (behavioral/mental health, oral health, public health)
  • Promote wellness, early intervention, and prevention
  • Strengthen patient and caregiver engagement
  • Screen, identify and address social determinants
  • Expand registry work to include identification of health inequities and social needs, chronic conditions, and those with emerging risk for chronic conditions
  • Augment cultural competency
  • Enhance access
  • Enhance referral network to include traditional and non-traditional resources
  • Identify patient education opportunities
  • Strengthen follow-up with referrals, admissions, discharges, transfers
  • Integrate into a community health network
  • Focus on population and community health
  • High and continuously improving quality through a learning health system
  • Focus on community health improvement
  • Use data analytics to collaborate on community health data
  • Expand care coordination team to community
  • Secure exchange of information with clinical and community partners
  • Develop shared care management processes
Resources
  • HCH COMPASS Appendix A: Levels of HCH Certification with requirements: Progression (PDF)
    • Standard 1 - Access and Communication (PDF)
    • Standard 2 - Patient Registry and Tracking Patient Care (PDF)
    • Standard 3 - Care Coordination (PDF)
    • Standard 4 - Care Plan (PDF)
    • Standard 5 - Performance Reporting and Quality Improvement (PDF)
  • Slides highlighting Level Progression may be accessed here: HCH New Progression Model and Portal Webinar (PDF). The webinar recording may be accessed from the YouTube HCH Playlist.

 

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Last Updated: 02/20/2025

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