By: Susan Sumrell, Assistant Director, Regulatory Affairs

Last week HHS announced the Quality Improvement and Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH) Development grants, funds for health centers to move toward recognition as a patient centered medical home, improving the quality and coordination of care for health center patients.  These grants, totaling over $34 million, were awarded to over 900
community health centers nationwide, and will be instrumental in health centers achieving PCMH accreditation.   In the announcement, Secretary Sebelius said
“[t]hese programs play a crucial role in the national effort to build high quality, comprehensive health care for those who need it most.  With these investments, health centers and other community-based organizations can expand on their efforts to ensure they are able to serve patients in their communities.”

Additionally, CMS is currently in the selection process for the CMS Advanced Primary Care Practice Demonstration project.  As we mentioned here, this demo, specifically for health centers, is designed to evaluate the effect of the advanced primary care practice model (also known as the patient-centered medical home) on improving care, promoting health, and reducing cost of care.  The demonstration will be conducted by the CMS Innovation Center in up to 500 health center sites, with the goal of transforming participating health centers to an NCQA Level 3 Primary Care Medical Home by the end of the demonstration.  CMS expects to announce the 500 sites selected for the demo shortly.