Medical Home for Children and Youth with Special Health Needs

What is a medical home?

A medical home is where primary care providers and families work together to improve the health and quality of life for children and youth with special health needs and their families. A medical home is family-centered.

What can my child's health look like?

• Your child's providers know you, your child and your family.
• You and your child's providers work together in the best interest of your family.
• You, your child, and your child's providers all bring skills and expertise to the table.
• Everyone is treated with trust and respect.
• Your child's providers are open and share all the information needed to make decisions that are right for your child.
• You, your child, and your child's providers make decisions together.
• You and your child's providers plan ahead for your child's health care needs.
• Your child's providers help with life transitions.
• Your child's providers connect you to helpful resources and community organizations.

How can I get a medical home for my child?

• Interview potential new primary care providers.
• Choose a primary care provider who will: provide well and sick care, help coordinate your child's chronic care needs, and see you as a partner in decisions about your child's care.
• Be an active partner in your child's care. Write down questions, concerns, and observations about your child to share with all health care providers.
• Think about your family's goals for your child and talk about these goals with providers so they can help guide the care.
• Ask the provider to help develop a care plan for your child. A care plan is a great tool that can help you and all your child's health care providers, school staff, and others understand your child's needs and communicate better.

More information:

Health Care Homes

• Certification program for primary care clinics meeting best practices for care coordination
• Interactive map of certified health care homes in Minnesota
• Description of requirements for health care home certification

The National Center for Medical Home Implementation, American Academy of Pediatrics

• Downloadable care notebook templates for keeping track of your child's care
• Basic fact sheets about various health care benefits you might qualify for
• Tools to prepare for transition in your child's care
• Other resources to help you get the most out of your child's health care