Patient Centered Medical Home

The Patient Centered Medical Home (PCMH) is a concept originally developed decades ago to promote care coordination and patient services/involvement enhancements. There has always been a PCMH framework instilled in all of the FQHCs, but has become a significant cornerstone of achievement for Centers and their commitment to their patients in recent years. To this end, FACHC has worked with FQHCs to earn recognition through various accrediting bodies for the efforts they have been undergoing for years. Below are a handful of helpful tools or beginning points regarding what a PCMH is and its value to the providers and – most importantly – the patients themselves.

National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA)

NCQA Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH) Recognition is the most widely-adopted model for transforming primary care practices into medical homes. NCQA’s requirements – developed with the input and support of employers, unions, health plans and consumers – are demanding. NCQA has purposely set the standard high to encourage organizations to continuously enhance their quality.

NCQA PCMH Recognition Webpage
Click for information on how to get recognized by NCQA as a PCMH - from start to finish.

NCQA PCMH Manual
Click to be taken to where you can download the standards and guidelines to become a NCQA PCMH organization/practice.
Training Opportunities Provided by NCQA
Contact NCQA for additional information, feedback, questions, and concerns

Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC)

The patient-centered essence of the Medical Home practice model is an ideal fit with the mission of quality care and patient safety that drives AAAHC. This organization offers two options for organizations to achieve recognition as a Medical Home: Certification and Accreditation.

AAAHC PCMH Website

Medical Home On-Site Certification evaluates a practice against AAAHC Standards for a Medical Home. As with our accreditation program, our surveyors make an on-site visit to assess, at the point of care and from a patient perspective, how your organization meets these Standards.
We recognize that becoming a Medical Home is a transformative process. The On-Site Certification program includes consultative support for your organization before, during, and after the survey.
AAAHC PCMH Recognition/Certification Handbook

Think of AAAHC Medical Home Accreditation as the highest achievement for primary care. It centers on a comprehensive review of your entire organization. Our peer-based process is conducted by professionals who are experienced ambulatory health care providers. During the on-site survey, we work with you collaboratively and consultatively to assure that your patients receive high-quality care consistent with AAAHC Standards for the ideal Medical Home model.AAAHC Accreditation Handbook