Frequently Asked Questions

 

An Introduction to the

Greater Sioux Community Health Center (GSCHC)

 

¨  What is a Community Health Center (“CHC”)?

¨ CHC’s are a medical home to the medically underserved

¨ CHC’s provide low cost care to Uninsured, Underinsured and those who face barriers to receiving primary health care (medical/dental/mental health services) 

¨ CHCs are consumer-directed.  Boards must be comprised of at least 51% CHC patients, and must reflect the community served by the CHC (for example, along ethnic lines).

¨ CHCs accept Medicaid, Medicare, Hawk-I, private insurance and self-pay (“out-of-pocket”). 

¨ CHCs are NOT “free” clinics.  Everyone pays something – a base fee for persons whose income is at 200% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL); and a sliding fee schedule for those above 200% of FPL who have no health insurance 

 

¨  What are the identified needs and services offered by the Greater Sioux CHC? 

¨ Greater Sioux CHC provides affordable, culturally sensitive, primary health care to all, including physical exams, treatment for illness, injury and chronic health care conditions, prenatal care, vaccinations and immunizations.

¨ Greater Sioux CHC added dental/oral health care in 2010. Only 30% of Sioux County residents aged 1 to 5 years receive any dental services.  Only 42% of Sioux County residents aged 1-20 receive any dental services.  Of the eight (8) practicing dentists in Sioux County, only two (2) of those dentists regularly accept new Title XIX (Medicaid) patients.  On site mental health services were added on July, 2011. 

¨ Greater Sioux CHC will be adding a 340 B Pharmacy program in 2012 with Hy-Vee Pharmacy as the dispensing pharmacy. This arrangement will enable Health Center patients to receive medications at a discounted rate.

 

 

¨ How is a Community Health Center different from a private medical clinic?   

¨ CHCs serve everyone! GSCHC Uninsured-50% Medicaid 30%

¨ CHCs are open to all residents and offer services that help patients access health care (transportation, translation, case management, health education).

¨ CHCs are required to offer services at times that meet their patient &families’ needs (extended hours)

 

 

¨ I’ve never heard of “Community Health Centers” – is this a new idea?    

¨ The nation’s first CHCs opened over 45 years ago in 1965

¨ Over 1250 CHCs provide an affordable health care option for 20 million people. 13 CHC’s in Iowa.

¨ CHCs benefit to the greater American society with - - -

¨ Highly efficient and cost-effective care, reducing the need for more costly care such as ER visits and avoidable hospital stays.

¨ Accessible preventive care, including screening, diagnosis and management of chronic illnesses such as diabetes, asthma, heart and lung disease, depression, cancer and HIV/AIDS.

¨ Improvements in prenatal care, resulting in reduced infant mortality and higher birth weights.

¨ Savings to the Medicaid program (as much as 30%) while still delivering high quality care to low-income patients enrolled in Medicaid.

 

 

¨ WHY was the Greater Sioux Community Health Center in Sioux County – Sioux Center – what were the “health disparities”?

 

¨ High Target Population of Low-Income, Uninsured Persons: 

¨ Of Greater Sioux’s patient population, about 50% are uninsured and pay for their own health care out-of-pocket. 

¨ About 13.9% of Sioux County residents have no health insurance.  The State rate for uninsured residents under age 65 is 10.4%. 

¨ While 25.4% of Sioux County residents have incomes at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL), about 80% of GSCHC’s patient population is at or below 200% of FPL. 

¨ Other health disparities in Sioux County include:

¨ Low Prenatal Care Rates:  45.7% of Sioux county women receive no prenatal care during the first trimester of pregnancy, compared to a state rate of 23.7%.

¨ Elevated Blood Lead Levels in children tested:  Although rates of testing are low compared to state testing rates –for children tested, toxicity rates are high in Sioux county and surrounding counties.

¨ Chronic Health Conditions:  High rates for overweight/obesity, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cerebrovascular disease, and depression – exceeding state and/or national rates.  Rates of breast and colon cancer are above the national average.  Rates of clinical depression and hospitalization for depression are above the state average.

 

¨ How is the Greater Sioux CHC funded – where do you get the money to operate?

¨ Greater Sioux opened its doors in July 2008 with funding from IDPH. In Dec. 2009, Greater Sioux  achieved designation as a Federally Qualified Look Alike Center.  At present we rely on patient fees, private donations, grants and community foundations.