§256i Community-based collaborative care network program

Summary

The Secretary can give grants to groups that build community-based collaborative care networks to help low-income people get health care. A network is a group of health care providers that share leadership and work together to provide coordinated, complete health services for low-income populations. Networks should include a hospital that meets federal criteria and all federally qualified health centers in the area unless one isn’t there, refuses, or sets unreasonable conditions. Networks must apply for the grants. The Secretary may renew grants later based on performance. Grant money can help people find and use care, enroll in coverage, get a regular primary care provider, provide case and care management, do outreach (including neighborhood health workers), offer transportation, expand capacity (like telehealth, after-hours, or urgent care), and pay for direct patient care. The Secretary may limit how much grant money goes to direct care for grantees funded by the Health Resources and Services Administration or add other conditions for those grantees. Funds were authorized as needed for each fiscal year 2011 through 2015.