Which statement best describes the role of patient-centered medical homes in coordinating care?

• A. Ensures access and coordination across care settings to improve outcomes and control costs.
• B. Restricts patient choice to a single provider.
• C. Eliminates family involvement in care decisions.
• D. Focuses solely on inpatient care.

Answer: (A)

The main idea is that a patient-centered medical home coordinates care across different settings to improve health outcomes and control costs. This model positions the primary care practice as the central hub for a patient’s care, using a team-based approach to provide comprehensive, continuous, and coordinated care. By actively coordinating with specialists, hospitals, labs, home health, and other services, the PCMH helps ensure timely follow-up, reduces duplicative tests, and aligns treatments with the patient’s goals. This coordinated approach is what drives better outcomes while often lowering overall costs through fewer hospitalizations and complications.

Why the other ideas don’t fit: this model does not limit patient choice to one provider; instead, it supports access to a network of coordinated providers while keeping the patient at the center. It also does not exclude families from decisions; family involvement is often encouraged when appropriate. And it is not limited to inpatient care; it emphasizes continuous, primary-care–driven management across the care continuum, including outpatient and preventive services.