What is a Medical Home?

A Medical Home is quality, community based primary care for children with special health care needs and/or disabilities that is based on a trusting relationship with the family.

A Medical Home respects and values the unique information and experience the family has about their child, which no one else brings to the team.

A great Medical Home:

• Knows it's patients
• Partners with and learns from youth and families
• Uses a team approach to chronic care management
• Coordinates all aspects of care
• Co-management with families and specialists
• Assistance with Transitions
• Connections with community organizations
• Is satisfying for families, providers and clinic staff

For more information check out the following links:

In Minnesota there are 23 primary care practices across the state working and learning together along with parent partners to create Medical Homes in their clinics. The Minnesota Children with Special Needs program at the Department of Health is coordinating the Minnesota Medical Home Learning Collaborative: www.health.state.mn.us/divs/fh/mcshn/index.htm

The American Academy of Pediatrics promotes and supports Medical Home across the country and has many helpful resources for families and physicians through the National Center for Medical Home: www.medicalhomeinfo.org

What do parents on the Medical Home teams say about Medical Home?

"We have a care plan that is always with us, and the hospital and clinic are aware of her special health needs and openly give Miriam that much needed extra time and gentleness. All these little changes are making a significant difference not only for Miriam but for our family".Miriam's Mom