Community Health Centers, also known as Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs)
Generally, community health centers, which otherwise known as federal qualified health centers (FQHCs) are popular in the United States. They were established for the benefits of the low income patients with or without insurance benefits. These community health centers are commonly visited by 93 percent of working adults from ages 45 to 64, who are seeking care at health centers have been increasing over the years. The health centers population is racially, ethnically and linguistically varied. Majority of the patients do not have insurance source. There are some who are insured, but only through public insurance programs like Medicaid. Based on the research, in 2003, health centers served about 5 million uninsured patients. Correspondingly, the Federal Qualified Center (FQHC) acts as a reimbursement designation in the United States. This is in the association with the several health programs funded under the Health Center Consolidation Act – Section 330 of the Public Health Service Act.
(http://www.nhpf.org/library/background-papers/BP_CHC_08-31-04.pdf)
Furthermore, there are various health care services offered by health centers such as ambulatory care services; as well as obstetric, gynecologic and pediatric services among low income families; most especially to those patients with poor health conditions. In this regards, health centers are considered unique among other primary care providers worldwide. For they have other multifaceted services such as case management, translation, transportation and outreach programs. Patients with chronic conditions such as diabetes and hypertension have a greater number as to compare to general population. In fact, in many regions, only health centers are the main provider for dental, mental health care and undeserved individuals and families who cannot afford to avail private consultation. As a result, there have been 75 percent health centers that provide preventive dental services at one of their sites. And, 70 percent of them provide mental health treatment and counseling, so as to 50 percent provide substance abuse treatment and counseling on-site. In cases where health centers do not offer services on-site or where demand exceeds on-site capacity, referrals are made to other providers and the health center pays for those services some of the time.
(http://www.nhpf.org/library/background-papers/BP_CHC_08-31-04.pdf)
More than that, there are about one-third of health centers that have licensed pharmacy, with a licensed pharmacist who works an in-house pharmacist in a contractual basis. Additionally, 60 percent of health centers largely depend on their physicians for the drug distribution to the patients. The federal and manufacturer sponsored programs exist to help health centers make affordable prescription drugs available to their patients. Health centers, tribal FQHCs, and RHCs, among other providers, can receive significant discounts on outpatient prescription drugs through the federal 340B discount drug program. Drug manufacturers are statutorily required to participate in the 340B program in order to have their drugs reimbursed by Medicaid. HRSA administers the 340B program and contracts with a “prime vendor” or preferred wholesaler who works with
drug manufacturers to negotiate significant discounts and assists
entities participating in the 340B program in receiving their orders. Normally, 340B drug prices have been found to be about 50 percent of the average wholesale price. More than half of health center grantees are taking advantage of the drug discount programs which available in the 340B program.
(http://www.mnachc.org/what-is-a-community-health-center.html)
Under the Public Health Service Act, there are other services offered to the less fortunate families such as free housing primary care programs. Similarly, FQHCs function under the consumer board of directors governance system and act through the supervision of the Health Resources and Services Administration. It is also part of the United States Department of Health and Human Services. Their common advocacy is to provide comprehensive health services to those patients who are not capable to admit themselves into any hospitals. Likewise, their mission has been changed already since the time it was established. Nowadays, they do not only bring primary health care to undeserved, underinsured, uninsured Americans, but also to migrant workers and non-U.S. citizens. FQCHs provide all the health care services to all persons and charge only for service on a community board approved fee scale by the federal government, which is only based on the capacity of the patients to pay. FQHCs, in return of their service to their patients, receive a consideration from the federal government in the form of cash incentives, cost based reimbursement for their Medicaid patients and free malpractice coverage under the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA). Former President Bush took the initiative to launch this kind of health program to help many under privileged Americans as well as immigrants and non-US citizens in the country. Above all, the health center program’s annual federal funding is continuously growing; this is in order to meet the goals of maintaining the quality of primary health care services in 1,200 communities in the United States.
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Federally_Qualified_Health_Center)
References:
(http://www.nhpf.org/library/background-papers/BP_CHC_08-31-04.pdf)
(http://www.mnachc.org/what-is-a-community-health-center.html)
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Federally_Qualified_Health_Center)
Credit:ivythesis.typepad.com
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