§ 701 - Definitions - Vermont Statutes

§ 701. Definitions

For the purposes of this chapter:

(1) "Blueprint for Health" means the state's plan for chronic care infrastructure, prevention of chronic conditions, and chronic care management program, and includes an integrated approach to patient self-management, community development, health care system and professional practice change, and information technology initiatives.

(2) "Chronic care" means health services provided by a health care professional for an established clinical condition that is expected to last a year or more and that requires ongoing clinical management attempting to restore the individual to highest function, minimize the negative effects of the condition, prevent complications related to chronic conditions, engage in advanced care planning, and promote appropriate access to palliative care. Examples of chronic conditions include diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, cancer, asthma, pulmonary disease, substance abuse, mental illness, spinal cord injury, hyperlipidemia, and chronic pain.

(3) "Chronic care information system" means the electronic database developed under the Blueprint for Health that shall include information on all cases of a particular disease or health condition in a defined population of individuals.

(4) "Chronic care management" means a system of coordinated health care interventions and communications for individuals with chronic conditions, including significant patient self-care efforts, systemic supports for the physician and patient relationship, and a plan of care emphasizing prevention of complications utilizing evidence-based practice guidelines, patient empowerment strategies, and evaluation of clinical, humanistic, and economic outcomes on an ongoing basis with the goal of improving overall health.

(5) "Health care professional" means an individual, partnership, corporation, facility, or institution licensed or certified or authorized by law to provide professional health care services.

(6) "Health risk assessment" means screening by a health care professional for the purpose of assessing an individual's health, including tests or physical examinations and a survey or other tool used to gather information about an individual's health, medical history, and health risk factors during a health screening. (Added 2005, No. 191 (Adj. Sess.), § 5; amended 2009, No. 25, § 8.)