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Publications » Newsletters » States in Action Archive
States in Action Archive
December 2010/January 2011
In this Issue
Feature
Ask the Expert
Snapshots
Resources
Feature
As states look for ways to improve health care for people with chronic conditions in order to enhance outcomes and contain long-term costs, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) offers an important opportunity. Section 2703 of the ACA provides enhanced federal funding for two years for "health homes" serving Medicaid beneficiaries with chronic conditions. This issue of States in Action defines health homes, discusses the ACA provision and the latest federal guidance to states, and presents opportunities and options for states to pursue. Read more »
Ask the Expert
Senior officials from CMS provide information and advice that may help states plan and implement health homes under the ACA. Read more »
Snapshots
States have many issues to consider as they decide whether, and how, to take up the Medicaid health homes option in the ACA. Those with strong existing medical home initiatives may find it easier to determine how they will design and pay for health homes under this provision, but still see opportunities to become more sophisticated in implementing and evaluating their efforts. Read more »
Missouri has pioneered a program for Medicaid beneficiaries with severe mental illness that is based in community mental health centers and provides care coordination and disease management to address the "whole person," including both mental illness and chronic medical conditions. Read more »
Minnesota plans to use the ACA's Medicaid health homes option to build on its current statewide medical home initiative, which began in 2003. Read more »
Resources