Judd Mellinger-Blouch Director, Pennsylvania Primary Care Career Center

Introduction Pennsylvania Association of Community Health Centers Pennsylvania Primary Care Career Center National Association of Community Health Centers 3RNet (National Rural Recruitment and Retention Network)

Objectives Understand the important role Community Health Centers play, today and in the future Understand the unique characteristics of Community Health Centers and what distinguishes them from other primary care providers Understand why you should consider Community Health Centers as a potential career choice

Disclaimer The information contained in this presentation comes from a previously uninformed slug who had worked in healthcare for nearly 30 years and didn’t know squat about FQHCs.

What is an FQHC? Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) offer comprehensive, quality primary medical, behavioral and dental health care. The distinguishing characteristics of FQHCs are: F ees based on ability to pay Q uality primary healthcare, open to All H ighly competent healthcare professional team C ommunity control

History of Community Health Centers Outgrowth of the Civil Rights movement Started with 2 centers in Mississippi Continued in Boston, New York, South Carolina Supported by Ted Kennedy, Donald Rumsfeld, George Bush, AND Barack Obama GOP-Controlled Congress?

PA FQHCs Serve more than 700,000 people annually in PA at more than 200 sites Provide more than 2 million visits annually Contribute more than $500 million to economies of local communities Provide more than 3500 FTE jobs in PA Hamilton Health Center, Harrisburg

National Community Health Center Facts Largest primary care network in the country FQHC Patient Base is over 23 million people Nearly 9,000 clinical locations in every state and U.S. territory Rapidly growing over the past decade 9,600 Physicians; 6,400 CRNPs, CNMs and PAs 3,300 Dental FTEs 132,000 Staff Generate jobs and money: $20 billion for local economies 189,000 jobs

National FQHC Goals for Serve an additional 20 million patients - Employ an additional 15,000 NHSC clinicians - Double the number of FQHC sites - 100% recognized as Patient-Centered Medical Homes - 100% EHR implementation Community Health and Dental Care, Pottstown

Benefits of FQHC Status FQHC staff are covered by the Federal Tort Claims Act, reducing the cost of medical malpractice FQHCs receive fairer Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement FQHCs automatically pre-qualify as National Health Service Corps and J-1 Visa physician sites, supporting recruitment and retention Most state loan repayment programs favor FQHCs FQHCs (but not Look-Alikes) receive some federal grant support for care to the un- and underinsured

Rural Health Clinics Another essential part of the primary care safety net 65 in PA Must be located in non- urbanized area Can be “provider-based” Must employ a “midlevel” Charles Cole Memorial Hospital, and Rural Health Clinic, Coudersport

FQHC Look-Alikes Meets all of the eligibility requirements of an FQHC but gets no federal Section 330 grant funding. Receive many of the same benefits as FQHCs, including: Cost-based reimbursement for Medicare services Reimbursement under the state PPS for services provided under Medicaid Eligible to purchase medications for outpatients at reduced cost through the 340B program Automatic designation as a HPSA May be an NHSC or Loan Repayment Site May sponsor J1 visa waiver candidates

And then there are the Gs Geisinger Guthrie

Who do Community Health Centers serve?

FQHC Patients by Payment Source

Why FQHCs? Communities served by an FQHC have a 10% lower infant mortality rate than those with no health center Improved results also seen in other primary/preventive areas: low birth weight babies; higher % women who receive mammograms and pap smears; earlier prenatal care; and fewer preventable hospitalizations Improved patient health and lower cost of treatment for those with chronic illnesses Serve as Medical Home

Why FQHCs? Patients with a Community Health Center as their medical home, save the healthcare system an average of $1263 per year. In Pennsylvania alone, that’s $1263 multiplied by the more than 700,000 individuals served by Community Health Centers translates into $880 Million in Savings! FQHCs receive bipartisan support

GOAL #1: Be the Provider of Choice Why Do Patients Choose FQHCs? Affordability Cultural Sensitivity Convenient Location Quality of Care Comprehensive Services Availability of Providers Holistic Approach Family-Centered Respect for All Open to All, Regardless of Ability to Pay

GOAL #2: Partner of Choice Why Do Insurers and Hospitals Choose to Work with FQHCs? Cost Control Case Management Open Door Policy Track Record Cultural Competency Community Connectedness Quality Care and Outcomes Maria de Los Santos Health Center, North Philadelphia

GOAL #3: Employer of Choice! Why Do Clinicians Choose FQHCs? Mission-Driven Work Financial Incentives Administrative Support Quality Assurance Initiatives Opportunity to Make Major Impact Future of Primary Care Squirrel Hill Health Center, Pittsburgh

“Growing up I was raised with the importance of giving back. So when I was given the opportunity to work at an FQHC I jumped at it, and it has been very rewarding and fulfilling.”

“It’s so inspirational to me that I’m not just working for a paycheck but I’m actually making a difference in the lives of people who otherwise wouldn’t have access to great care.”

“(Our patients) are remarkable people who face huge obstacles every day. As I get to know these people, I find that the healing really goes both ways.”

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