13% of U.S. community hospitals have an established medical home program

Medical homes have regained relevance as a key element in delivery system transformation.

Although the term "medical home" originated in the 1960s, the concept has regained relevance as a key element in delivery system transformation. A medical home provides comprehensive primary care; facilitates communication and shared decision-making among the patient, primary care and other providers, and the patient's family; and has been shown to reduce avoidable emergency department visits, inpatient stays and duplicate tests. The majority of medical home programs are found in urban hospitals; only 22 percent of rural hospitals have one, according to the 2011 American Hospital Association Annual Survey. More midsize hospitals (100–399 beds) have medical home programs than large (400 or more beds) or small (99 beds or fewer) hospitals, and programs have been established in equal measure at teaching and nonteaching hospitals.