What does FQHC stand for?
Federally Qualified Health Centers
Federally Qualified Health Centers are community-based health care providers that receive funds from the HRSA Health Center Program to provide primary care services in underserved areas.
How does an FQHC work?
The FQHC provides primary outpatient services and opportunities for employment for the community, often while working to meet community initiatives. As a nonprofit and tax-exempt organization, an FQHC can receive grants from the government, the private sector, and donations in addition to Medicare and Medicaid funding.
How are FQHCs formed?
FQHCs are safety net providers for services typically from an outpatient clinic. Medicare pays FQHCs based on the FQHC PPS for medically necessary primary health services and qualified preventive health services from an FQHC practitioner. CMS added new and expanded FQHC flexibilities during the COVID-19 PHE.
Can FQHCs turn away patients?
A FQHC provides care to anyone, of any age. A FQHC treats patients with insurance and those without. Patients who come to a FQHC who are NOT covered by insurance can be charged for their care using an income-based sliding fee scale. No patient is ever turned away because of the inability to pay.
How are FQHCs reimbursed?
In California, FQHCs are reimbursed directly by the state for beneficiaries in the fee-for-service program or by the health plan for visits by their members. For managed care members, the FQHC bills the state for the difference between the health plan payment and the PPS rate.
What is a look alike Fqhc?
A Look-Alike is an organization that meets all of the eligibility requirements of an FQHC that receives a PHS Section 330 grant, but does not receive grant funding.
How many FQHCs are there?
How many FQHCs are there in the US? There are currently 1,368 official FQHC locations in the U.S., but the FQHC look-alikes and service sites bring that number closer to 14,200.
How many FQHCs are there in the United States?
What is PPS rate?
A Prospective Payment System (PPS) is a method of reimbursement in which Medicare payment is made based on a predetermined, fixed amount. The payment amount for a particular service is derived based on the classification system of that service (for example, diagnosis-related groups for inpatient hospital services).
How many FQHC look-alikes are there?
81
There are currently 1,368 official FQHC locations in the U.S., but the FQHC look-alikes and service sites bring that number closer to 14,200….How many FQHCs are there in the US?
| Type of FQHC | # of FQHCs in U.S. |
|---|---|
| Federally Qualified Health Center Look-alikes | 81 |
What are three benefits of being a look alike Health Center?
While look-alikes do not receive Health Center Program funding, they are eligible to apply for the following benefits:
- Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) Prospective Payment System (PPS) reimbursement through the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS)
- HRSA’s 340B Drug Pricing Program for discounted drugs.
How many FQHCs are in the United States?
There are currently 1,368 official FQHC locations in the U.S., but the FQHC look-alikes and service sites bring that number closer to 14,200.