by
Loren Bonner, DOTmed News Online Editor | March 31, 2014
From the March 2014 issue of HealthCare Business News magazine
Community health centers only employ a handful of surgeons, although that is growing, according to Hawkins. And many of the specialties are sub-specialties of internal medicine like endocrinology for diabetes patients. Today, almost all centers provide dental coverage and primary care. Most centers have primary diagnostic tools like X-ray and ultrasound, with only a few offering higher level options like CT and MRI.
A provider of choice
Not only are community health centers expanding, but they are also working to stand out as providers of quality health care that put patients first. One example is the ongoing effort by community health centers to gain patient-centered medical home (PCMH) recognition by the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA), which is a designated model of care that is coordinated and led by a team.
Hawkins says there are folks on the ground in every state serving as coaches to help community health centers complete the certificate for PCMH status. Today, more than half of the community health centers in the U.S. are PCMH certified, and Hawkins says the goal is to have all sites PCMH certified by next year.
It’s not a stretch to say that community health centers are working harder than ever to keep patients coming back.
According to Hawkins, community health centers have always faced challenges with funding, workforce and space, but a new challenges these days can be found in providing quality care, patient satisfaction and becoming a provider of choice.
“I think a little competition is helpful. It keeps everyone on their toes not only in terms of the clinical quality of care, but also client responsiveness,” says Hawkins.
Even though community health centers will likely continue to care for the growing Medicaid population under the law, many hope they will be a choice for the insured too, not a last resort.
“I think as people have coverage they will have more options and that’s a good thing — patients should have ability to vote with their feet and choose where they want to get care,” says Sandman.
Back to HCB News
