Free Mapping Tool Tracks Patient-Centered Medical Home Activity

Family physicians who are interested in, or already part of, the patient-centered medical home (PCMH) phenomenon sweeping the country now can monitor the progress of PCMH activities using a new mapping tool created by the Patient-Centered Primary Care Collaborative (PCPCC).

According to a June 9 press release(www.pcpcc.org), the free online resource, dubbed the Primary Care Innovations and PCMH Map(www.pcpcc.org), identifies active programs and initiatives built on PCMH principles. The tool includes information on payment reform and quality initiatives.

Marci Nielsen, Ph.D., M.P.H., who is CEO of the PCPCC, told AAFP News that she and others in the organization were "thrilled" to provide the interactive resources to all health care stakeholders seeking information on the PCMH movement.

"We want people to have the information they need to identify and better connect with organizations in their state and communities that are investing in primary care," said Nielsen.

To be clear, the tool does not map individual medical home clinics or practices, but rather it allows users to verify where medical homes are becoming a standard of care in both public and private health insurance plans.

The new mapping tool invites users to browse three unique formats. Link to the

• "state view"(www.pcpcc.org) to see a summary of all public and commercial PCMH programs in each state; 
• "national view"(www.pcpcc.org) to find specific PCMH programs by location across the country; or
• "list view"(www.pcpcc.org) to access a list of programs based on selected criteria such as state, program name, payer type and reported outcomes.

Although Nielsen encouraged state and federal policymakers, researchers and educators to take advantage of the mapper, she said physicians would find the tool particularly helpful because it could geographically identify -- with pinpoint precision -- Medicaid, Medicare and commercial health insurance plans that support PCMH programs.

The AAFP, a long-standing supporter of the PCMH model, has for several years urged payers to recognize PCMH practices with additional payment for improved care quality. The AAFP knows all too well that family physicians are hesitant to invest in the kind of practice changes necessary to transform to a PCMH without the promise of a return on that financial investment.