What is a community health center (FQHC)?

What is a community health center?

A community health center is a neighborhood clinic that is built to help people who may have trouble getting health care. Many people call them FQHCs, short for federally qualified health centers. That long name simply means the clinic meets rules set by the federal government and gets federal money to run.

The Health Resources and Services Administration, or HRSA, is the federal agency that supports these centers. HRSA lists a few things that make a place a health center. It provides a full range of care, and it adjusts fees based on income and family size. It serves everyone, even if they cannot pay.

A health center also has a governing board, which is the group that oversees the clinic. Most board members are patients of the clinic. That last rule keeps the clinic tied to the community it serves.

The care they offer

HRSA says health centers provide a full range of care. Their staff can include doctors, dentists, therapists, social workers and other medical staff. In everyday terms, that usually means a regular doctor for checkups, care for things like high blood pressure or diabetes, and care for children. Many centers also offer dental care or mental health counseling.

Every center is a little different. One may have a pharmacy or a dentist in the same building, and another may not. The best way to find out is to call and ask what the center provides, or to read its website.

Who can go to a community health center?

HRSA says health centers care for people and groups who find it hard to get health care. About 90 percent of health center patients have incomes below 200 percent of the federal poverty level. That level is a yearly income line the government uses to measure poverty. That describes who goes there. It is not a rule that keeps others out.

You do not need to be uninsured. Some people have insurance and still choose a health center for the care and the price. Ask the center which insurance plans it takes. If you have no insurance, ask about the sliding fee scale. Our guide on sliding scale clinics explains how that works.

Will they turn me away if I cannot pay?

HRSA says that a health center serves everyone, even if they cannot pay. HRSA's rules also say no patient shall be denied service because of an inability to pay. So money alone should not be a reason for a health center to say no.

That does not mean every visit is free, and it does not mean there is never a wait. A busy center may take time to schedule a first visit. Ask when the first opening is. If it is far away and you need care sooner, ask whether they can see you earlier. Be honest about how you feel.

If you think you are having an emergency, do not wait for an appointment. Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.

How to find a community health center

1. Go to HRSA's Find a Health Center tool by searching the web for "HRSA Find a Health Center."
2. Type in your address, city or zip code.
3. Look at the centers listed, and choose a few that are close to you or on a bus line.
4. Call each one and ask how to become a new patient.
5. Ask what the visit will cost, what proof of income they want, and when the first opening is.

We do not list how many centers there are or where, because the tool gives you the current list for your area. Websites and phone numbers change, so it is better to use the official source. Some states did not expand Medicaid. If you live in one and are not sure where to turn, our guide on the Medicaid coverage gap explains your options.

What to bring to your first visit

Call ahead and ask what the center wants, since each is a little different. Here are common items to ask about.

• A photo ID, such as a driver's license, helps the staff confirm who you are.
• Proof of where you live, such as a bill or a lease, is often requested.
• Proof of income, such as pay stubs or a tax return, is needed if you want a sliding scale price.
• Your insurance card is useful if you have one.
• A list of your medicines and the doses, along with your pharmacy, helps the clinician.
• Old records or test results are helpful if you have them.

If you do not have something on the list, say so when you call. Writing down your questions before the visit also helps. Our list of questions to ask a doctor's office is a good start.

What to expect at the first visit

You should expect some paperwork. You will likely fill out forms about your health, your medicines and your household. Someone may ask about your income so they can set your price. A nurse or assistant usually checks your blood pressure and weight, and then you meet the clinician. It is fine to say you are nervous or that you have been avoiding care because of cost. The staff hear that often.

Before you leave, ask what your follow-up plan is and how to reach the clinic with questions. Also ask what your next visit will cost. Writing the answers down helps you remember.

How a health center differs from other choices

A free clinic is usually run by a charity and may be free. A community health center charges by income and is federally supported. A cash-pay doctor charges a flat price. A direct primary care practice charges a monthly fee, usually $50 to $200 a month. For the full comparison, see our guide on free clinics, health centers and cash-pay doctors. If you want a cash-pay doctor, you can also search our directory.

This page is general education and not medical advice. Talk with your own clinician about your health.