Medical Home for Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs

What is a Medical Home?

A medical home is not a building, house, or hospital, but rather an approach to providing health care services in a high-quality and cost effective manner.  For Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs, a medical home approach to pediatric care can help better coordinate and prepare for a child's health care needs, leading to better health outcomes.

Elements of the Medical Home

The American Academy of Pediatrics has identified key elements of the Medical Home:

• Accessible - Care is provided in the child's community
• Family-Centered - Recognition that the family is the principal caregiver and the center of strength and support for children
• Continuous - Same primary pediatric health care professionals are available from infancy through adolescence
• Comprehensive - Health care is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
• Coordinated - Families are linked to support, educational, and community based services
• Compassionate - Concern for well-being of child and family is expressed and demonstrated
• Culturally Effective - Family's cultural background is recognized, valued, and respected

General Information on the Medical Home Topic

• American Academy of Pediatrics Medical Home Policy Statement

• Center for Medical Home Improvement

• National Center of Medical Home Initiatives

• National Initiative for Children's Health Care Quality

• Wisconsin Medical Home Toolkit 

Last Revised: December 18, 2007