Medicaid stakeholders, faced with rising health care costs, increasing prevalence of chronic illness, and growing recognition of gaps in quality, are interested in programs that have the potential to both improve health outcomes and curb health care spending growth. To assist in these efforts, the Center for Health Care Strategies (CHCS) developed the Return on Investment Forecasting Calculator for Health Homes and Medical Homes.

This companion User’s Guide to the Return on Investment Forecasting Calculator for Health Homes and Medical Homes was developed to help health care stakeholders use the online tool to generate forecasts for proposed programs. In developing a forecast, users navigate through eight core components: forecasts, program, target population, utilization, program costs, analysis, utilization and cost database, and ROI solver. The User’s Guide outlines considerations for each of these components, addressing key analytical issues and best practices to address for each step in the process.