§256i Community-based Collaborative Care Network Program

Summary

The Secretary of Health and Human Services can give grants to groups that form community-based collaborative care networks. A network is a group of health care providers with shared leadership that delivers coordinated, integrated care for low-income people. Networks must include a qualifying hospital (the kind described in section 1396r–4(b)(1)) and all federally qualified health centers in the community (as defined in section 1395x(aa)), unless a provider doesn’t exist, refuses, or sets unreasonable conditions. Grant decisions should favor networks that can offer the widest range of services, include many providers who already serve many low-income patients, and include a county or city health department. Networks must apply for grants, and past winners may get renewal grants based on performance. Grant money can help low-income people access 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 (for example telehealth or after-hours care), and deliver direct patient care. The Secretary may limit how much HRSA program grantees spend on direct care. Funds were authorized as needed for fiscal years 2011 through 2015.