124 STAT. 322 PUBLIC LAW 111–148—MAR. 23, 2010 center, home health agency, or any other entity or provider (including pediatricians, gynecologists, and obstetricians) that is determined by the State and approved by the Secretary to be qualified to be a health home for eligible individuals with chronic conditions on the basis of documentation evidencing that the physician, practice, or clinic— ‘‘(A) has the systems and infrastructure in place to provide health home services; and ‘‘(B) satisfies the qualification standards established by the Secretary under subsection (b). ‘‘(6) TEAM OF HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS.—The term ‘team of health care professionals’ means a team of health professionals (as described in the State plan amendment) that may— ‘‘(A) include physicians and other professionals, such as a nurse care coordinator, nutritionist, social worker, behavioral health professional, or any professionals deemed appropriate by the State; and ‘‘(B) be free standing, virtual, or based at a hospital, community health center, community mental health center, rural clinic, clinical practice or clinical group practice, aca- demic health center, or any entity deemed appropriate by the State and approved by the Secretary. ‘‘(7) HEALTH TEAM.—The term ‘health team’ has the meaning given such term for purposes of section 3502 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.’’. (b) EVALUATION.— (1) INDEPENDENT EVALUATION.— (A) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall enter into a con- tract with an independent entity or organization to conduct an evaluation and assessment of the States that have elected the option to provide coordinated care through a health home for Medicaid beneficiaries with chronic condi- tions under section 1945 of the Social Security Act (as added by subsection (a)) for the purpose of determining the effect of such option on reducing hospital admissions, emergency room visits, and admissions to skilled nursing facilities. (B) EVALUATION REPORT.—Not later than January 1, 2017, the Secretary shall report to Congress on the evalua- tion and assessment conducted under subparagraph (A). (2) SURVEY AND INTERIM REPORT.— (A) IN GENERAL.—Not later than January 1, 2014, the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall survey States that have elected the option under section 1945 of the Social Security Act (as added by subsection (a)) and report to Congress on the nature, extent, and use of such option, particularly as it pertains to— (i) hospital admission rates; (ii) chronic disease management; (iii) coordination of care for individuals with chronic conditions; (iv) assessment of program implementation; (v) processes and lessons learned (as described in subparagraph (B)); (vi) assessment of quality improvements and clin- ical outcomes under such option; and 42 USC 1396w–4 note. Contracts.
