The PPC-PCMH program reflects the input of the American College of Physicians (ACP), American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP),  American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and American Osteopathic Association (AOA) and others in a revision of Physician Practice Connections to assess whether physician practices are functioning as medical homes. Building on the joint principles developed by the primary care specialty societies, the PPC-PCMH standards emphasize the use of systematic, patient-centered, coordinated care management processes.

The Patient Centered Medical Home is a health care setting that facilitates partnerships between individual patients, and their personal physicians, and when appropriate, the patient’s family. Care is facilitated by registries, information technology, health information exchange and other means to assure that patients get the indicated care when and where they need and want it in a culturally and linguistically appropriate manner.

There are nine PPC standards, including 10 must pass elements, which can result in one of three levels of recognition.  Practices seeking PPC- PCMH complete a Web-based data collection tool and provide documentation that validates responses.

The program standards are now available at no cost.