On January 1, 2016, DHCF will launch a new benefit for Medicaid beneficiaries with mental health care needs, called My DC Health Home, that will help coordinate a person’s full array of health and social service needs—including primary and hospital health services; mental health care, substance abuse care and long-term care services and supports.   My DC Health Homes are community-based mental health providers, as known as Core Services Agencies, which have hired nurses, primary care doctors and others with social and health-related backgrounds, to create Care Teams. Each person that decides to receive services through the My DC Health Home benefit will be linked with a Care Team who will work with the person’s doctors, family and anyone else the person selects to:

• Pay special attention to their health care needs;
• Make sure needed medical services are received; and
• Help get needed social services, such as housing and food.

  What are the My DC Health Home services?

• Comprehensive care management, where information about a person’s health and social needs are gathered and a care plan to support the person’s health is written;
• Care coordination, includes the activities that help a person follow his or her care plan—such as scheduling doctor visits and transportation to these visits;
• Health promotion, includes helping a person understand what he or she can do to keep good health—such as stopping smoking, joining walking groups, and  cooking with fresh foods;
• Comprehensive transitional care/follow-up, ensures that if a person is admitted to a hospital, the person has access to needed services when he or she leaves the hospital;
• Patient and family support, helps the person and his or her support team (such as family and friends) connect with medical and social service providers, better understand papers on health care, and other activities that ensure that both the person and his or her support team stay healthy.
• Referral to community and social support services, link the person to neighborhood, church and other helpful activities that can help keep the person healthy. 

Who are the My DC Health Homes? 

My DC Health Homes must pass a Health Home certification process by the DC Department of Behavioral Health (DBH). DBH certifies that each My DC Health Home has the right staff and systems in place to deliver person-centered, coordinated care. Each My DC Health Home must also comply with local and federal rules and regulations. Only a certified My DC Health Home provider is eligible to deliver My Health Home services.  

My DC Health Homes are located across the District. Your Core Services Agency may be a My DC Health Home. Call your Core Services Agency if it is a My DC Health Home to learn more about these free services.  

Or, if your Core Services Agency is not a My DC Health Home, call the DC Access HELPLINE at (888) 7WE-HELP or (888) 793-4357 [24 hours a day; 7 days a week] to be connected with a My DC Health Home.