§256i Community-based Collaborative Care Network Program

Summary

The Secretary can give grants to eligible groups to set up and run community-based collaborative care networks for low-income people. A network is a group of health care providers with shared leadership that work together to offer coordinated, full health care. Networks must include a hospital that meets the rule in section 1396r–4(b)(1) and all Federally Qualified Health Centers in the community, unless those providers don’t exist, refuse to join, or set unreasonable conditions. Grants will be given first to networks that provide the widest range of services, have many providers who serve lots of low-income patients, and include a county or city health department. Networks must apply for the grants. Past grantees may get renewal funding based on how well they perform. Grant money can be used to help people access care, enroll in coverage, get a regular primary doctor or medical home, provide case and care management, do outreach with neighborhood health workers, pay for transportation, expand capacity (including telehealth, after-hours, or urgent care), and provide direct patient care. The Secretary may limit the share of grant funds used for direct care by programs run by the Health Resources and Services Administration or set other rules. Money was authorized as needed for fiscal years 2011 through 2015.