What Are Community Health Centers?
Community Health Centers (CHCs) play a vital role in the health care delivery system
by providing access to affordable and quality primary medical, oral health, and
behavioral health services to 22 million Americans.
Requirements state that in order to be a Federally Qualified Community Health Center, FQHCs must:
- Be located in a medically underserved area or serve a medically underserved population;
- Provide comprehensive primary care;
- Serve all patients regardless of age or income, within a defined service area;
- Have a schedule of discounts (sliding-fee schedule) based on the patient’s ability
to pay;
- Be a public or not-for-profit organization; and
- Be governed by a community-based board of directors. To be federally-funded, a majority
of board members must use the health center and must represent the community served
in terms of demographic factors such as race, ethnicity, sex, age, and socioeconomic
status.
FQHCs must also provide services and supports to ensure access is available to all
in the community. These services may include language interpretation and translation,
transportation, and case management.
FQHCs have access to numerous programs that ultimately benefit their patients. These
programs include:
- Drug Pricing Discounts for pharmaceutical products under the 340B Program;
- Access to medical malpractice coverage under Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA);
- Prospective Payment System reimbursement for services to Medicaid patients;
- Cost-based reimbursement for services to Medicare patients;
- Federal loan guarantees for capital improvements;
- Access to on-site application and enrollment services for affordable health insurance, including Medicaid;
- Access to Vaccines for Children Program for uninsured children; and
- Access to National Health Service Corps (NHSC) medical, dental, and mental health
providers.
Program Expectations
Because community health centers serve a wide range of communities, from inner cities
to rural frontiers, there is no one health center model. However, every community
health center must have a sound infrastructure able to respond to the needs of its
community within the constraints of its resources. Each community health center
should develop processes and procedures designated to ensure the provision of high
quality health services supported by strong management and governance.
To receive federal funding a community health center must meet the program expectations
of the U.S. Public Health Service. Program expectations describe aspects of organizational
structure and processes that are associated with successful health center programs.
Needs Assessment and Planning
Community Health Centers are required to assess the health needs of the population
to be served and the resources available in the community to meet those needs. From
this assessment centers can identify and prioritize issues to be address through
the planning process. Centers are required to work closely with other safety net
providers in defining and revising an appropriate role for the health center in
addressing community health care needs. Factors used to determine need are geographic,
demographic, and economic.
Governance
The Community Health Center must be governed by a board of directors, which has
full authority and responsibility to establish program policies. The board of directors
should govern within the context of a long-term strategic mission and goals, as
well as an annual operating plan. A majority of the board members must represent
users of the center’s services. A set of by-laws governing the organization should
be maintained by the center. The by-laws must describe the structure and functions
of the board, and meet the requirements of federal, state, and local laws and regulations.
Management and Finance
To operate efficiently and effectively, the center must have appropriate management.
The long-term mission and goals of the organization should guide center management.
Management of a health center is a team process with well-defined lines of authority
and responsibility. Adequate infrastructure must be in place including finance,
management information systems, and communications.
Clinical Program/Health Services
Community health centers are required by law to operate a system of care that contributes
to the desired outcomes of availability, accessibility, quality, comprehensiveness,
and coordination. Centers must ensure that basic primary care services, coordinated
with other levels of care, and support services appropriate to the communities defined
health care needs are available and accessible. CHCs must also have qualified providers
and a clinical management system that ensures quality and continuity of care.
To ensure resources are being applied in the most effective way to meet identified
needs, every health center is required to develop health care goals and objectives
as part of the organization’s planning process. The goals and objectives consider
both the role of the center in the community’s overall system of care and the specific
efforts the center will perform on behalf of its own user population and the community
in general.
For more information about community health centers, visit the
Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) website.