subpart v—healthy communities access program
Editorial Notes
Prior Provisions
A prior subpart VI, consisting of section 256a, related to health services for residents of public housing, prior to repeal by
§256. Grants to strengthen the effectiveness, efficiency, and coordination of services for the uninsured and underinsured
(a) In general
The Secretary may award grants to eligible entities to assist in the development of integrated health care delivery systems to serve communities of individuals who are uninsured and individuals who are underinsured—
(1) to improve the efficiency of, and coordination among, the providers providing services through such systems;
(2) to assist communities in developing programs targeted toward preventing and managing chronic diseases; and
(3) to expand and enhance the services provided through such systems.
(b) Eligible entities
To be eligible to receive a grant under this section, an entity shall be an entity that—
(1) represents a consortium—
(A) whose principal purpose is to provide a broad range of coordinated health care services for a community defined in the entity's grant application as described in paragraph (2); and
(B) that includes at least one of each of the following providers that serve the community (unless such provider does not exist within the community, declines or refuses to participate, or places unreasonable conditions on their participation)—
(i) a Federally qualified health center (as defined in
(ii) a hospital with a low-income utilization rate (as defined in
(iii) a public health department; and
(iv) an interested public or private sector health care provider or an organization that has traditionally served the medically uninsured and underserved; and
(2) submits to the Secretary an application, in such form and manner as the Secretary shall prescribe, that—
(A) defines a community or geographic area of uninsured and underinsured individuals;
(B) identifies the providers who will participate in the consortium's program under the grant, and specifies each provider's contribution to the care of uninsured and underinsured individuals in the community, including the volume of care the provider provides to beneficiaries under the medicare, medicaid, and State child health insurance programs and to patients who pay privately for services;
(C) describes the activities that the applicant and the consortium propose to perform under the grant to further the objectives of this section;
(D) demonstrates the consortium's ability to build on the current system (as of the date of submission of the application) for serving a community or geographic area of uninsured and underinsured individuals by involving providers who have traditionally provided a significant volume of care for that community;
(E) demonstrates the consortium's ability to develop coordinated systems of care that either directly provide or ensure the prompt provision of a broad range of high-quality, accessible services, including, as appropriate, primary, secondary, and tertiary services, as well as substance abuse treatment and mental health services in a manner that assures continuity of care in the community or geographic area;
(F) provides evidence of community involvement in the development, implementation, and direction of the program that the entity proposes to operate;
(G) demonstrates the consortium's ability to ensure that individuals participating in the program are enrolled in public insurance programs for which the individuals are eligible or know of private insurance programs where available;
(H) presents a plan for leveraging other sources of revenue, which may include State and local sources and private grant funds, and integrating current and proposed new funding sources in a way to assure long-term sustainability of the program;
(I) describes a plan for evaluation of the activities carried out under the grant, including measurement of progress toward the goals and objectives of the program and the use of evaluation findings to improve program performance;
(J) demonstrates fiscal responsibility through the use of appropriate accounting procedures and appropriate management systems;
(K) demonstrates the consortium's commitment to serve the community without regard to the ability of an individual or family to pay by arranging for or providing free or reduced charge care for the poor; and
(L) includes such other information as the Secretary may prescribe.
(c) Limitations
(1) Number of awards
(A) In general
For each of fiscal years 2003, 2004, 2005, and 2006, the Secretary may not make more than 35 new awards under subsection (a) (excluding renewals of such awards).
(B) Rule of construction
This paragraph shall not be construed to affect awards made before fiscal year 2003.
(2) In general
An eligible entity may not receive a grant under this section (including with respect to any such grant made before fiscal year 2003) for more than 3 consecutive fiscal years, except that such entity may receive such a grant award for not more than 1 additional fiscal year if—
(A) the eligible entity submits to the Secretary a request for a grant for such an additional fiscal year;
(B) the Secretary determines that extraordinary circumstances (as defined in paragraph (3)) justify the granting of such request; and
(C) the Secretary determines that granting such request is necessary to further the objectives described in subsection (a).
(3) Extraordinary circumstances
(A) In general
In paragraph (2), the term "extraordinary circumstances" means an event (or events) that is outside of the control of the eligible entity that has prevented the eligible entity from fulfilling the objectives described by such entity in the application submitted under subsection (b)(2).
(B) Examples
Extraordinary circumstances include—
(i) natural disasters or other major disruptions to the security or health of the community or geographic area served by the eligible entity; or
(ii) a significant economic deterioration in the community or geographic area served by such eligible entity, that directly and adversely affects the entity receiving an award under subsection (a).
(d) Priorities
In awarding grants under this section, the Secretary—
(1) shall accord priority to applicants that demonstrate the extent of unmet need in the community involved for a more coordinated system of care; and
(2) may accord priority to applicants that best promote the objectives of this section, taking into consideration the extent to which the application involved—
(A) identifies a community whose geographical area has a high or increasing percentage of individuals who are uninsured;
(B) demonstrates that the applicant has included in its consortium providers, support systems, and programs that have a tradition of serving uninsured individuals and underinsured individuals in the community;
(C) shows evidence that the program would expand utilization of preventive and primary care services for uninsured and underinsured individuals and families in the community, including behavioral and mental health services, oral health services, or substance abuse services;
(D) proposes a program that would improve coordination between health care providers and appropriate social service providers;
(E) demonstrates collaboration with State and local governments;
(F) demonstrates that the applicant makes use of non-Federal contributions to the greatest extent possible; or
(G) demonstrates a likelihood that the proposed program will continue after support under this section ceases.
(e) Use of funds
(1) Use by grantees
(A) In general
Except as provided in paragraphs (2) and (3), a grantee may use amounts provided under this section only for—
(i) direct expenses associated with achieving the greater integration of a health care delivery system so that the system either directly provides or ensures the provision of a broad range of culturally competent services, as appropriate, including primary, secondary, and tertiary services, as well as substance abuse treatment and mental health services; and
(ii) direct patient care and service expansions to fill identified or documented gaps within an integrated delivery system.
(B) Specific uses
The following are examples of purposes for which a grantee may use grant funds under this section, when such use meets the conditions stated in subparagraph (A):
(i) Increases in outreach activities and closing gaps in health care service.
(ii) Improvements to case management.
(iii) Improvements to coordination of transportation to health care facilities.
(iv) Development of provider networks and other innovative models to engage physicians in voluntary efforts to serve the medically underserved within a community.
(v) Recruitment, training, and compensation of necessary personnel.
(vi) Acquisition of technology for the purpose of coordinating care.
(vii) Improvements to provider communication, including implementation of shared information systems or shared clinical systems.
(viii) Development of common processes for determining eligibility for the programs provided through the system, including creating common identification cards and single sliding scale discounts.
(ix) Development of specific prevention and disease management tools and processes.
(x) Translation services.
(xi) Carrying out other activities that may be appropriate to a community and that would increase access by the uninsured to health care, such as access initiatives for which private entities provide non-Federal contributions to supplement the Federal funds provided through the grants for the initiatives.
(2) Direct patient care limitation
Not more than 15 percent of the funds provided under a grant awarded under this section may be used for providing direct patient care and services.
(3) Reservation of funds for national program purposes
The Secretary may use not more than 3 percent of funds appropriated to carry out this section for providing technical assistance to grantees, obtaining assistance of experts and consultants, holding meetings, developing of tools, disseminating of information, evaluation, and carrying out activities that will extend the benefits of programs funded under this section to communities other than the community served by the program funded.
(f) Grantee requirements
(1) Evaluation of effectiveness
A grantee under this section shall—
(A) report to the Secretary annually regarding—
(i) progress in meeting the goals and measurable objectives set forth in the grant application submitted by the grantee under subsection (b); and
(ii) the extent to which activities conducted by such grantee have—
(I) improved the effectiveness, efficiency, and coordination of services for uninsured and underinsured individuals in the communities or geographic areas served by such grantee;
(II) resulted in the provision of better quality health care for such individuals; and
(III) resulted in the provision of health care to such individuals at lower cost than would have been possible in the absence of the activities conducted by such grantee; and
(B) provide for an independent annual financial audit of all records that relate to the disposition of funds received through the grant.
(2) Progress
The Secretary may not renew an annual grant under this section for an entity for a fiscal year unless the Secretary is satisfied that the consortium represented by the entity has made reasonable and demonstrable progress in meeting the goals and measurable objectives set forth in the entity's grant application for the preceding fiscal year.
(g) Maintenance of effort
With respect to activities for which a grant under this section is authorized, the Secretary may award such a grant only if the applicant for the grant, and each of the participating providers, agree that the grantee and each such provider will maintain its expenditures of non-Federal funds for such activities at a level that is not less than the level of such expenditures during the fiscal year immediately preceding the fiscal year for which the applicant is applying to receive such grant.
(h) Technical assistance
The Secretary may, either directly or by grant or contract, provide any entity that receives a grant under this section with technical and other nonfinancial assistance necessary to meet the requirements of this section.
(i) Evaluation of program
Not later than September 30, 2005, the Secretary shall prepare and submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report that describes the extent to which projects funded under this section have been successful in improving the effectiveness, efficiency, and coordination of services for uninsured and underinsured individuals in the communities or geographic areas served by such projects, including whether the projects resulted in the provision of better quality health care for such individuals, and whether such care was provided at lower costs, than would have been provided in the absence of such projects.
(j) Demonstration authority
The Secretary may make demonstration awards under this section to historically black health professions schools for the purposes of—
(1) developing patient-based research infrastructure at historically black health professions schools, which have an affiliation, or affiliations, with any of the providers identified in subsection (b)(1)(B);
(2) establishment of joint and collaborative programs of medical research and data collection between historically black health professions schools and such providers, whose goal is to improve the health status of medically underserved populations; or
(3) supporting the research-related costs of patient care, data collection, and academic training resulting from such affiliations.
(k) Authorization of appropriations
There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section such sums as may be necessary for each of fiscal years 2002 through 2006.
(l) Date certain for termination of program
Funds may not be appropriated to carry out this section after September 30, 2006.
(July 1, 1944, ch. 373, title III, §340, as added
Editorial Notes
Prior Provisions
A prior section 256, act July 1, 1944, ch. 373, title III, §340, as added July 22, 1987,
Another prior section 256, act July 1, 1944, ch. 373, title III, §340, as added Nov. 10, 1978,
Another prior section 256, act July 1, 1944, ch. 373, title III, §340, formerly §332,
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Demonstration Project To Provide Access to Affordable Care
"(a)
"(b)
"(c)
Purpose
"(1) coordination of services to allow individuals to receive efficient and higher quality care and to gain entry into and receive services from a comprehensive system of care;
"(2) development of the infrastructure for a health care delivery system characterized by effective collaboration, information sharing, and clinical and financial coordination among all providers of care in the community; and
"(3) provision of new Federal resources that do not supplant funding for existing Federal categorical programs that support entities providing services to low-income populations."
§256a. Patient navigator grants
(a) Grants
The Secretary, acting through the Administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration, may make grants to eligible entities for the development and operation of demonstration programs to provide patient navigator services to improve health care outcomes. The Secretary shall coordinate with, and ensure the participation of, the Indian Health Service, the National Cancer Institute, the Office of Rural Health Policy, and such other offices and agencies as deemed appropriate by the Secretary, regarding the design and evaluation of the demonstration programs.
(b) Use of funds
The Secretary shall require each recipient of a grant under this section to use the grant to recruit, assign, train, and employ patient navigators who have direct knowledge of the communities they serve to facilitate the care of individuals, including by performing each of the following duties:
(1) Acting as contacts, including by assisting in the coordination of health care services and provider referrals, for individuals who are seeking prevention or early detection services for, or who following a screening or early detection service are found to have a symptom, abnormal finding, or diagnosis of, cancer or other chronic disease.
(2) Facilitating the involvement of community organizations in assisting individuals who are at risk for or who have cancer or other chronic diseases to receive better access to high-quality health care services (such as by creating partnerships with patient advocacy groups, charities, health care centers, community hospice centers, other health care providers, or other organizations in the targeted community).
(3) Notifying individuals of clinical trials and, on request, facilitating enrollment of eligible individuals in these trials.
(4) Anticipating, identifying, and helping patients to overcome barriers within the health care system to ensure prompt diagnostic and treatment resolution of an abnormal finding of cancer or other chronic disease.
(5) Coordinating with the relevant health insurance ombudsman programs to provide information to individuals who are at risk for or who have cancer or other chronic diseases about health coverage, including private insurance, health care savings accounts, and other publicly funded programs (such as Medicare, Medicaid, health programs operated by the Department of Veterans Affairs or the Department of Defense, the State children's health insurance program, and any private or governmental prescription assistance programs).
(6) Conducting ongoing outreach to health disparity populations, including the uninsured, rural populations, and other medically underserved populations, in addition to assisting other individuals who are at risk for or who have cancer or other chronic diseases to seek preventative care.
(c) Prohibitions
(1) Referral fees
The Secretary shall require each recipient of a grant under this section to prohibit any patient navigator providing services under the grant from accepting any referral fee, kickback, or other thing of value in return for referring an individual to a particular health care provider.
(2) Legal fees and costs
The Secretary shall prohibit the use of any grant funds received under this section to pay any fees or costs resulting from any litigation, arbitration, mediation, or other proceeding to resolve a legal dispute.
(d) Grant period
(1) In general
Subject to paragraphs (2) and (3), the Secretary may award grants under this section for periods of not more than 3 years.
(2) Extensions
Subject to paragraph (3), the Secretary may extend the period of a grant under this section. Each such extension shall be for a period of not more than 1 year.
(3) Limitations on grant period
In carrying out this section, the Secretary shall ensure that the total period of a grant does not exceed 4 years.
(e) Application
(1) In general
To seek a grant under this section, an eligible entity shall submit an application to the Secretary in such form, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require.
(2) Contents
At a minimum, the Secretary shall require each such application to outline how the eligible entity will establish baseline measures and benchmarks that meet the Secretary's requirements to evaluate program outcomes.
(3) Minimum core proficiencies
The Secretary shall not award a grant to an entity under this section unless such entity provides assurances that patient navigators recruited, assigned, trained, or employed using grant funds meet minimum core proficiencies, as defined by the entity that submits the application, that are tailored for the main focus or intervention of the navigator involved.
(f) Uniform baseline measures
The Secretary shall establish uniform baseline measures in order to properly evaluate the impact of the demonstration projects under this section.
(g) Preference
In making grants under this section, the Secretary shall give preference to eligible entities that demonstrate in their applications plans to utilize patient navigator services to overcome significant barriers in order to improve health care outcomes in their respective communities.
(h) Duplication of services
An eligible entity that is receiving Federal funds for activities described in subsection (b) on the date on which the entity submits an application under subsection (e) may not receive a grant under this section unless the entity can demonstrate that amounts received under the grant will be utilized to expand services or provide new services to individuals who would not otherwise be served.
(i) Coordination with other programs
The Secretary shall ensure coordination of the demonstration grant program under this section with existing authorized programs in order to facilitate access to high-quality health care services.
(j) Study; reports
(1) Final report by Secretary
Not later than 6 months after the completion of the demonstration grant program under this section, the Secretary shall conduct a study of the results of the program and submit to the Congress a report on such results that includes the following:
(A) An evaluation of the program outcomes, including—
(i) quantitative analysis of baseline and benchmark measures; and
(ii) aggregate information about the patients served and program activities.
(B) Recommendations on whether patient navigator programs could be used to improve patient outcomes in other public health areas.
(2) Interim reports by Secretary
The Secretary may provide interim reports to the Congress on the demonstration grant program under this section at such intervals as the Secretary determines to be appropriate.
(3) Reports by grantees
The Secretary may require grant recipients under this section to submit interim and final reports on grant program outcomes.
(k) Rule of construction
This section shall not be construed to authorize funding for the delivery of health care services (other than the patient navigator duties listed in subsection (b)).
(l) Definitions
In this section:
(1) The term "eligible entity" means a public or nonprofit private health center (including a Federally qualified health center (as that term is defined in
(2) The term "health disparity population" means a population that, as determined by the Secretary, has a significant disparity in the overall rate of disease incidence, prevalence, morbidity, mortality, or survival rates as compared to the health status of the general population.
(3) The term "patient navigator" means an individual who has completed a training program approved by the Secretary to perform the duties listed in subsection (b).
(m) Authorization of appropriations
(1) In general
To carry out this section, there are authorized to be appropriated $2,000,000 for fiscal year 2006, $5,000,000 for fiscal year 2007, $8,000,000 for fiscal year 2008, $6,500,000 for fiscal year 2009, $3,500,000 for fiscal year 2010, and such sums as may be necessary for each of fiscal years 2011 through 2015.
(2) Availability
The amounts appropriated pursuant to paragraph (1) shall remain available for obligation through the end of fiscal year 2015.
(July 1, 1944, ch. 373, title III, §340A, as added
Editorial Notes
Prior Provisions
A prior section 256a, act July 1, 1944, ch. 373, title III, §340A, as added Nov. 6, 1990,
Another prior section 256a, act July 1, 1944, ch. 373, title III, §340A, as added Nov. 10, 1978,
Amendments
2010—Subsec. (d)(3).
"(A) shall ensure that the total period of a grant does not exceed 4 years; and
"(B) may not authorize any grant period ending after September 30, 2010."
Subsec. (e)(3).
Subsec. (m)(1).
Subsec. (m)(2).
§256a–1. Establishing community health teams to support the patient-centered medical home
(a) In general
The Secretary of Health and Human Services (referred to in this section as the "Secretary") shall establish a program to provide grants to or enter into contracts with eligible entities to establish community-based interdisciplinary, interprofessional teams (referred to in this section as "health teams") to support primary care practices, including obstetrics and gynecology practices, within the hospital service areas served by the eligible entities. Grants or contracts shall be used to—
(1) establish health teams to provide support services to primary care providers; and
(2) provide capitated payments to primary care providers as determined by the Secretary.
(b) Eligible entities
To be eligible to receive a grant or contract under subsection (a), an entity shall—
(1)(A) be a State or State-designated entity; or
(B) be an Indian tribe or tribal organization, as defined in
(2) submit a plan for achieving long-term financial sustainability within 3 years;
(3) submit a plan for incorporating prevention initiatives and patient education and care management resources into the delivery of health care that is integrated with community-based prevention and treatment resources, where available;
(4) ensure that the health team established by the entity includes an interdisciplinary, interprofessional team of health care providers, as determined by the Secretary; such team may include medical specialists, nurses, pharmacists, nutritionists, dieticians, social workers, behavioral and mental health providers (including substance use disorder prevention and treatment providers), doctors of chiropractic, licensed complementary and alternative medicine practitioners, and physicians' assistants;
(5) agree to provide services to eligible individuals with chronic conditions, as described in
(6) submit to the Secretary an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require.
(c) Requirements for health teams
A health team established pursuant to a grant or contract under subsection (a) shall—
(1) establish contractual agreements with primary care providers to provide support services;
(2) support patient-centered medical homes, defined as a mode of care that includes—
(A) personal physicians or other primary care providers;
(B) whole person orientation;
(C) coordinated and integrated care;
(D) safe and high-quality care through evidence-informed medicine, appropriate use of health information technology, and continuous quality improvements;
(E) expanded access to care; and
(F) payment that recognizes added value from additional components of patient-centered care;
(3) collaborate with local primary care providers and existing State and community based resources to coordinate disease prevention, chronic disease management, transitioning between health care providers and settings and case management for patients, including children, with priority given to those amenable to prevention and with chronic diseases or conditions identified by the Secretary;
(4) in collaboration with local health care providers, develop and implement interdisciplinary, interprofessional care plans that integrate clinical and community preventive and health promotion services for patients, including children, with a priority given to those amenable to prevention and with chronic diseases or conditions identified by the Secretary;
(5) incorporate health care providers, patients, caregivers, and authorized representatives in program design and oversight;
(6) provide support necessary for local primary care providers to—
(A) coordinate and provide access to high-quality health care services;
(B) coordinate and provide access to preventive and health promotion services;
(C) provide access to appropriate specialty care and inpatient services;
(D) provide quality-driven, cost-effective, culturally appropriate, and patient- and family-centered health care;
(E) provide access to pharmacist-delivered medication management services, including medication reconciliation;
(F) provide coordination of the appropriate use of complementary and alternative (CAM) services to those who request such services;
(G) promote effective strategies for treatment planning, monitoring health outcomes and resource use, sharing information, treatment decision support, and organizing care to avoid duplication of service and other medical management approaches intended to improve quality and value of health care services;
(H) provide local access to the continuum of health care services in the most appropriate setting, including access to individuals that implement the care plans of patients and coordinate care, such as integrative health care practitioners;
(I) collect and report data that permits evaluation of the success of the collaborative effort on patient outcomes, including collection of data on patient experience of care, and identification of areas for improvement; and
(J) establish a coordinated system of early identification and referral for children at risk for developmental or behavioral problems such as through the use of infolines, health information technology, or other means as determined by the Secretary;
(7) provide 24-hour care management and support during transitions in care settings including—
(A) a transitional care program that provides onsite visits from the care coordinator,1 assists with the development of discharge plans and medication reconciliation upon admission to and discharge from the hospitals,2 nursing home, or other institution setting;
(B) discharge planning and counseling support to providers, patients, caregivers, and authorized representatives;
(C) assuring that post-discharge care plans include medication management, as appropriate;
(D) referrals for mental and behavioral health services, which may include the use of infolines; and
(E) transitional health care needs from adolescence to adulthood;
(8) serve as a liaison to community prevention and treatment programs;
(9) demonstrate a capacity to implement and maintain health information technology that meets the requirements of certified EHR technology (as defined in
(10) where applicable, report to the Secretary information on quality measures used under
(d) Requirement for primary care providers
A provider who contracts with a care team shall—
(1) provide a care plan to the care team for each patient participant;
(2) provide access to participant health records; and
(3) meet regularly with the care team to ensure integration of care.
(e) Reporting to Secretary
An entity that receives a grant or contract under subsection (a) shall submit to the Secretary a report that describes and evaluates, as requested by the Secretary, the activities carried out by the entity under subsection (c).
(f) Definition of primary care
In this section, the term "primary care" means the provision of integrated, accessible health care services by clinicians who are accountable for addressing a large majority of personal health care needs, developing a sustained partnership with patients, and practicing in the context of family and community.
(
Editorial Notes
References in Text
Section 2703, referred to in subsec. (b)(5), means section 2703 of
Codification
Section was enacted as part of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, and not as part of the Public Health Service Act which comprises this chapter.
Amendments
2010—Subsec. (c)(2)(A).