Community Health Centers, most commonly known by their government acronym FQHC (Federally- Qualified Health Center), are one of the key pillars of America’s healthcare safety net. Often defined by serving at least 25% of uninsured patients as part of their patient mix, these organizations play a critical role in the communities they serve.
The first of these organizations were created almost 60 years ago and have historically provided very traditional primary and behavioral health care to a very underserved population. With dwindling government funding and increased competition, even in rural areas, many community health centers (CHCs) are rethinking their strategy to ensure not only their survival, but also their ability to thrive in the communities they serve.
As CHC leaders strategizing how to best prepare their community health center for the future, they are pondering questions like the following:
- How can we improve patient outcomes through more effective patient care approaches?
- How can we bolster financial sustainability through novel business models and more diverse revenue sources?
- How can we strengthen our mission through new relationships within and outside our community?
- How can we succeed through the judicious and prudent use of innovative digital health technologies to succeed?
