Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) serve as a point of care for over 28 million patients annually, many of whom are uninsured, living in poverty and located in rural areas. These social determinants of health create chronic conditions, including a disproportionate burden of oral disease, within a vulnerable patient community. Facilitated by better access to technology infrastructure and coordinated primary care delivery, FQHCs have been at the forefront of providing comprehensive, person-centered health care. Shifting away from fragmented dental care provision and into a coordinated, integrated model of health care primes FQHCs to lead transformation into a value-based system.
A series of analyses were performed using 3 data sources: the IBM Watson MarketScan Multi-State Medicaid Database, the Health Resources and Services Administration Uniform Data System and a survey of participants in a safety net technical assistance program. Data were analyzed to explore health outcomes and service provision in an FQHC population compared to non-FQHC populations. This white paper was developed in collaboration with the National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC).
A webinar was also co-presented in 2020 with the National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC), which discussed the move to value, and how community health centers are working towards positive whole health outcomes.
