A ´Health Home´ is not a physical place; it is a group of health care and service providers working together to make sure you get the care and services you need to stay healthy. Once you are enrolled in a Health Home, you will have a care manager that works with you to develop a care plan. A care plan maps out the services you need, to put you on the road to better health. Some of the services may include: • Connecting to health care providers • Connecting to mental health and substance abuse providers • Connecting to needed medications • Help with housing • Social services (such as food, benefits, and transportation) or other community programs that can support and assist you.

In New York State, many people get their health benefits through the Medicaid Program. Most people are generally healthy, however, others may have chronic health problems. Many are unable to find providers and services, which makes it hard for people to get well and stay healthy. New York State´s Health Home program was created with these people in mind. The goal of the Health Home program is to make sure its members get the care and services they need. This may mean fewer trips to the emergency room or less time spent in the hospitals, getting regular care and services from doctors and providers, finding a safe place to live, and finding a way to get to medical appointments.

In order to be eligible for Health Home services, the individual must be enrolled in Medicaid and must have: • Two or more chronic conditions OR • One single qualifying chronic condition OR • Serious mental illness (SMI)

You can talk to your current service provider or you can contact The Arc of Monroe, a Health Home Provider, at any time to find out if you are eligible to enroll. You also may be referred to a Health Home by Medicaid, based on care and services you have already received. Or, you can be referred by your Managed Care plan, doctor, specialist, hospital emergency room or discharge planner, or Social Service District.

No. Enrollment in the Health Home program is provided free of charge to you, if you are on Medicaid.