What is a Federally Qualified Health Center?
Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC) provide holistic healthcare services to underserved populations and areas. They are governed by a consumer board that includes patients and offers a sliding fee discount to individuals who are below a certain percentage of the federal poverty level. Sunrise Clinics is proud to be one of these centers dedicated to providing affordable healthcare regardless of your family size or income.
Provide Healthcare for Underserved Areas
Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC) provide comprehensive primary and preventive care, including oral and mental/substance abuse services to medically underserved communities. They also work closely with hospitals to coordinate care for patients who need more advanced treatment. Healthcare organizations that meet the Health Center Program requirements are eligible to apply for awards through Section 330 of the Public Health Service Act. These awards are used to serve statutorily mandated special medically underserved populations such as migratory and seasonal agricultural workers, people experiencing homelessness, and residents of public housing. We have health centers located throughout New Mexico and use a sliding fee scale based on a patient’s ability to pay.
Sliding Fee Scales
FQHCs offer sliding fee scales so that no one will be denied access to healthcare services based on their ability to pay. The fee schedule is based on family size and income, and it offers discounts for those with the lowest incomes.
To establish a Sliding Fee Discount Program, a health center must prepare an SFDP that includes full or nominal charges for individuals and families with annual incomes at or below 100% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines (FPG), as well as a gradation in income levels that provides for at least three discount pay classes above FPG. SFDPs must also include documentation requirements and procedures for determining eligibility to receive discounted fees.
When a new patient visits an FQHC, the GFE should list all undiscounted charges and include information about the organization’s SFDP and financial protection policies. This will make sure that new patients are aware of the cost of the visit before they start to pay.
Provide Comprehensive Health Services
Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC) are patient-directed community health centers. They strive to help the underserved and those with limited access to healthcare by providing primary care. These centers offer high-quality care at an affordable price for patients in need.
They accept patients with or without insurance and provide care on a sliding fee scale based on income level. They are also required to be governed by a patient-majority board. These health centers serve the most vulnerable, including low-income individuals, seasonal and migrant farmworkers, immigrants, and residents living in public housing. They are also able to provide the necessary services for those with mental illness and substance abuse problems. FQHCs offer treatment for a variety of conditions from the common cold and diabetes to some cancer treatments and aim to provide comprehensive healthcare services to patients.
At Sunrise Clinics, we offer these services and more to our patients in New Mexico. We’re here to help with the flu, the common cold, and other diseases and conditions. Our doctors will provide you with the care needed for symptom management and prescription medication to return to feeling your best. Ensure your family gets the care they need when they need it when you establish care at Sunrise Clinics.