The care of patients with chronic disease is one of the most urgent medical challenges of actual society. The chronic care model (CCM) is an organizational, proactive approach for chronic disease in primary care. The system creates practical, supportive, evidence-based interactions between an informed, activated patient and a proactive practice team. CCM identifies six essential elements of high-quality health care: community; health system; self-management support; delivery system design; decision support, and clinical information systems. The article summarizes the evidence on the CCM, the adoption and implications for successful implementation into the Swiss health care system.