Health Care Homes Sustainability Roadmap: Background

The Health Care Homes (HCH) program is one of the centerpieces of Minnesota's 2008 health reform legislation. Through its focus on redesign of care delivery and meaningful engagement of patients in their care, HCH is transforming care for - and the lives of - millions of Minnesotans. The name "Health Care Homes" acknowledges a critical shift needed to improve health in Minnesota. The shift is from a purely medical model of care delivery to a focus on linking primary care with wellness, prevention, self-management, community resources, and valuable partnerships.

The goals of the Health Care Homes program are to:

• Build a strong primary care foundation for all Minnesotans to access team-based, coordinated, patient and family-centered care.
• Increase care coordination and collaboration between primary care and community resources to support whole person care, population health, and health equity.
• Improve the quality, experience, and value of care.

Rule amendment

In October 2022, the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) amended the HCH rule adding two progression certification levels to address health equity, social determinants, and population health. Health care providers and organizations may certify at the Foundational Level, Level 2, or Level 3. This progression framework recognizes clinics that are advancing primary care models to reduce disparities, improve value, and address population health. The framework provides a foundation that can drive integration of health care with behavioral health, community, social services, and public health systems.