Biomaterial Database

Academic health centers and community health centers partnering to build a system of care for vulnerable patients: lessons from Carolina Health Net. 2013

Amy C Denham, and Sherry S Hay, and Beat D Steiner, and Warren P Newton

Department of Family Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, USA. amy_denham@med.unc.edu

Academic health centers (AHCs) are challenged to meet their core missions in a time of strain on the health care system from rising costs, an aging population, increased rates of chronic disease, and growing numbers of uninsured patients. AHCs should be leaders in developing creative solutions to these challenges and training future leaders in new models of care. The authors present a case study describing the development, implementation, and early results of Carolina Health Net, a partnership between an AHC and a community health center to manage the most vulnerable uninsured by providing access to primary care medical homes and care management systems. This partnership was formed in 2008 to help transform the delivery of health care for the uninsured. As a result, 4,400 uninsured patients have been connected to primary care services. Emergency department use by enrolled patients has decreased. Patients have begun accessing subspecialty care within the medical home. More than 2,200 uninsured patients have been assisted to enroll in Medicaid. The experience of Carolina Health Net demonstrates that developing a system of care with primary care and wrap-around services such as pharmacy and case management can improve the cost-effectiveness and quality of care, thereby helping AHCs meet their broader missions. This project can serve as a model for other AHCs looking to partner with community-based providers to improve care and control costs for underserved populations.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008484	Medicaid	Federal program, created by Public Law 89-97, Title XIX, a 1965 amendment to the Social Security Act, administered by the states, that provides health care benefits to indigent and medically indigent persons.	Dental Medicaid Program,Medical Assistance, Title 19,Dental Medicaid Programs,Medicaid Program, Dental,Medicaid Programs, Dental,Program, Dental Medicaid,Programs, Dental Medicaid
D009657	North Carolina	State bounded on the north by Virginia, on the east and Southeast by the Atlantic Ocean, on the south by Georgia and South Carolina, and on the west by Tennessee.
D003151	Community Health Centers	Facilities which administer the delivery of health care services to people living in a community or neighborhood.	Neighborhood Health Centers,Satellite Centers,Center, Community Health,Center, Neighborhood Health,Center, Satellite,Centers, Community Health,Centers, Neighborhood Health,Centers, Satellite,Community Health Center,Health Center, Community,Health Center, Neighborhood,Health Centers, Community,Health Centers, Neighborhood,Neighborhood Health Center,Satellite Center
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000046	Academic Medical Centers	Medical complexes consisting of medical school, hospitals, clinics, libraries, administrative facilities, etc.	Medical Centers, Academic,Medical Centers, University,University Medical Centers,Academic Medical Center,Center, Academic Medical,Center, University Medical,Centers, Academic Medical,Centers, University Medical,Medical Center, Academic,Medical Center, University,University Medical Center
D014481	United States	A country in NORTH AMERICA between CANADA and MEXICO.
D015397	Program Evaluation	Studies designed to assess the efficacy of programs. They may include the evaluation of cost-effectiveness, the extent to which objectives are met, or impact.	Evaluation, Program,Family Planning Program Evaluation,Program Appropriateness,Program Effectiveness,Program Sustainability,Appropriateness, Program,Effectiveness, Program,Evaluations, Program,Program Evaluations,Program Sustainabilities,Sustainabilities, Program,Sustainability, Program
D016730	Program Development	The process of formulating, improving, and expanding educational, managerial, or service-oriented work plans (excluding computer program development).	Program Descriptions,Description, Program,Descriptions, Program,Development, Program,Program Description
D017057	Medically Uninsured	Individuals or groups with no or inadequate health insurance coverage. Those falling into this category usually comprise three primary groups: the medically indigent (MEDICAL INDIGENCY); those whose clinical condition makes them medically uninsurable; and the working uninsured.	Medically Underinsured,Underinsured,Uninsured
D018802	Patient-Centered Care	Design of patient care wherein institutional resources and personnel are organized around patients rather than around specialized departments. (From Hospitals 1993 Feb 5;67(3):14)	Nursing, Patient-Centered,Patient-Centered Nursing,Patient-Focused Care,Person-Centered Care,Medical Home,Care, Patient-Centered,Care, Patient-Focused,Care, Person-Centered,Cares, Person-Centered,Home, Medical,Homes, Medical,Medical Homes,Nursing, Patient Centered,Patient Centered Care,Patient Centered Nursing,Patient Focused Care,Person Centered Care,Person-Centered Cares