Medical and Health Care Services
Category
Child & Family Health
Child's Age
Prenatal, 0-1 years, 1-2 years, 2-3 years, 3-4 years, 4-5 years
Participant
Children, Parents/Guardian
Languages
English
Brief Description
Medical services for uninsured and underinsured children and/or pregnant people via the provision of standard well- and sick- visits with a qualified licensed medical professional.
Expected Impact
- Increased positive health outcomes for children & families
Core Components for Model Fidelity
- Patient Visits: Visits with a licensed medical provider for medically defined preventative or responsive care
Ideally, services are provided through or in coordination with the patient's primary medical home.
Languages Materials are Available in
English
Delivery Mode
Dependent upon medical professional's policy.
Dosage
As needed, based on the reccomendation of a licensed provider.
Infrastructure for Implementation
Other: Please note that Smart Start funds can only be used to provide services not covered by Medicaid. As a network, Smart Start does not duplicate existing services.
Staffing Requirements
Medical and health care services are provided by qualified, licensed medical professionals.
Training for Model Fidelity
Training varies based on recommendations and requirements of relevant professional associations.
Contact Information
LPs will need to coordinate with licensed medical providers and are encouraged to convene all relevant providers in their community.
Cost Estimates
Cost estimates vary based on local market rates.
Purpose Service Code (PSC)
5415 - Health Care Access and Support
Program Identifier (PID)
Medical and Health Care Services
Minimal Outputs for NCPC Reporting
FY 24-25:
- Number of children receiving medical care
- Number of Pregnant people receiving medical care†
Minimal Outcomes for NCPC Reporting
FY 24-25:
- Increase in developmental screenings or assessments, referrals, and child use of services
Minimal Measures for NCPC Reporting
FY 24-25:
- Child Screenings, Referrals, and Use of Services Calculation: Child-Medical Home use
NCPC Evidence Categorization
Evidence Informed - Industry Standard
Research Summary
Two of the most relevant publications on medical and health care services include literature summaries provided by the US Department of Health and Human Services.1 2 These summaries describe the importance of access to medical and health care services as barriers to health services may increase the risk of poor health outcomes. Barriers to these services include lack of health insurance, limited access to transportation, language barriers, work/school scheduling complications, and limited health care resources. These barriers have the greatest impact on underserved, under-resourced communities, including minority groups and people with lower incomes. Expensive out-of-pocket medical costs as a result of inadequate health insurance may lead to delaying or forgoing medical care for both preventative services, such as dental care, immunizations, and well-child visits, and chronic conditions including diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular disease, and asthma. Having health insurance is associated with better health monitoring and increased access to necessary health services. The Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), for example, provides sole coverage for 41% of children with special health care needs. Limited access to adequate transportation interferes with consistent access to health care services and is associated with greater risks of severe illnesses and late-stage presentation of conditions such as cancer. Lack of health care resources, such as a shortage of physicians, can result in longer wait times, delayed care, reduced access to health services, and an increased risk of poor health outcomes. Children without health insurance are less likely to receive vaccinations or attend regular well-child visits. Studies show that children who primarily speak Spanish are more likely to lack a usual source of care compared to their peers in English-speaking households.
The NC Medical Board and NC Board of Nursing provide clear guidelines and resources about licensure for medical providers and nurses. Additionally, North Carolina state legislation includes statutes regarding medicine and allied occupations, N.C.G.S. § 90 (2022), and nursing practices, N.C.G.S. § 90-9A (2022), provide clear practice guidelines which all services provided through a Smart Start Local Partnership must adhere to, ensuring the safety and well-being of children and families across NC.
- ^ See Access to Health Services (n.d.). This literature summary provided by the US Department of Health and Human Services describes the importance of access to health services as barriers to health services may increase the risk of poor health outcomes. Barriers to health services include lack of health insurance, limited access to transportation, and limited health care resources. These barriers have the greatest impact on underserved, under-resourced communities, including minority groups and people with lower incomes. Expensive out-of-pocket medical costs as a result of inadequate health insurance may lead to delaying or forgoing medical care for both preventative services, such as dental care, immunizations, and well-child visits, and chronic conditions including diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular disease, and asthma. Having health insurance is associated with better health monitoring and increased access to necessary health services. The Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), for example, provides sole coverage for 41% of children with special health care needs. Limited access to adequate transportation interferes with consistent access to health care services and is associated with greater risks of severe illnesses and late-stage presentation of conditions such as cancer. Lack of health care resources, such as a shortage of physicians, can result in longer wait times, delayed care, reduced access to health services, and an increased risk of poor health outcomes.
- ^ See Access to Primary Care (n.d.) This literature summary details the barriers and impacts of accessing primary care services. Primary care is associated with positive health outcomes, such as early detection and treatment of disease, a usual source of care, preventative care, and chronic disease management. Barriers to primary care include a lack of health insurance, disabilities, language barriers, geographic/transportation-related barriers, shortage of primary care providers, and work/school scheduling complications. Children without health insurance are less likely to receive vaccinations or attend regular well-child visits. Studies show that children who primarily speak Spanish are more likely to lack a usual source of care compared to their peers in English-speaking households.
N.C. Board of Nursing. (2020). Overview. https://www.ncbon.com/licensure-listing-overview
N.C. Gen. Stat. § 90 (2022). https://www.ncleg.gov/EnactedLegislation/Statutes/HTML/ByChapter/Chapter_90.html
N.C. Gen. Stat. § 90-9A (2022). https://www.ncleg.net/enactedlegislation/statutes/html/byarticle/chapter_90/article_9a.html
North Carolina Medical Board. (n.d.). Licensure. https://www.ncmedboard.org/licensure
United States Department of Health and Human Services. (n.d.). Access to Health Services. Healthy People 2030. https://health.gov/healthypeople/priority-areas/social-determinants-health/literature-summaries/access-health-services
United States Department of Health and Human Services. (n.d.). Access to Primary Care. Healthy People 2030. https://health.gov/healthypeople/priority-areas/social-determinants-health/literature-summaries/access-primary-care
Local Partnerships Currently Implementing
Local Partnerships in purple have adopted Medical and Health Care Services. Local Partnership contact information can be found here.