What are community health centers and who do they serve?
Health centers are community-based organizations that offer essential primary and preventive care services to populations with limited access to health care. Services available can range from basic doctor’s visits, immunizations, health screenings, laboratory and radiology, pharmacy, dental, and mental health services. Typically services are provided on a sliding-scale based on an individual’s ability to pay. Health centers frequently extend beyond the center’s walls to better reach underserved populations. Community health centers care for 16 million people at more than 6,000 locations across the nation. Of those served at health centers, 71 percent are below 100 percent of the federal povery guidelines and 92 percent are below 200 percent. Forty percent are uninsured while 35 percent are enrolled in Medicaid or SCHIP. Sixty percent are Hispanic, African-American or Native American and 35 percent are under the age of 20. Funding for health centers comes from a variety of public and pr
Related Questions
- Are nursing facilities, skilled nursing centers, hospices, rehabilitation centers, mental health facilities, and home health centers eligible for Medicare incentive payments?
- Are services delivered by community health centers more cost-effective?
- Which free clinics and community health centers participate?
