Federally qualified health center
A federally qualified health center (FQHC) is a reimbursement designation from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) of the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). This designation is significant for several health programs funded under Section 330 of the Public Health Service Act, as part of the Health Center Consolidation Act. The FQHC program is designed "to enhance the provision of primary care services in underserved urban and rural communities."[1]
FQHCs are community-based organizations that provide comprehensive primary and preventive care, including health, oral, and mental health services to persons of all ages, regardless of their ability to pay or health insurance status. Thus, they are a critical component of the health care safety net.[2] As of 2011[update] over 1,100 FQHCs operate approximately 6,000 sites throughout the United States and territories, serving an estimated 20 million patients.[3]
FQHCs may also be referred to as community/migrant health centers (C/MHC), community health centers (CHC), and 330 funded clinics.
References
- ↑ "Federally Qualified Health Center" (PDF). Rural Health Fact Sheet Series. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. January 2013. https://www.cms.gov/Outreach-and-Education/Medicare-Learning-Network-MLN/MLNProducts/downloads/fqhcfactsheet.pdf. Retrieved 30 March 2014.
- ↑ Doty, Michelle M.; Abrams, Melinda K.; Hernandez, Susan E.; Stremikis, Kristof; Beal, Anne C. (27 May 2010). "Enhancing the Capacity of Community Health Centers to Achieve High Performance: Findings from the 2009 Commonwealth Fund National Survey of Federally Qualified Health Centers". The Commonwealth Fund. http://www.commonwealthfund.org/Publications/Fund-Reports/2010/May/Enhancing-the-Capacity-of-Community-Health-Centers-to-Achieve-High-Performance.aspx?page=all. Retrieved 30 March 2014.
- ↑ "Number of Federally-Funded Federally Qualified Health Centers". Kaiser Family Foundation. March 2013. http://kff.org/other/state-indicator/total-fqhcs/. Retrieved 30 March 2014.
