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Federally Qualified Health centers are community-based and patient-directed organizations that deliver comprehensive, culturally competent, high-quality primary health care services. Health centers also often integrate access to pharmacy, mental health, substance use disorder, and oral health services in areas where economic, geographic, or cultural barriers limit access to affordable health care services. Health centers deliver care to the Nation’s most vulnerable individuals and families, including people experiencing homelessness, agricultural workers, residents of public housing, and the Nation’s veterans. (HRSA)

To learn more about the history, click here to watch a great video on the history of America’s Health Centers.

Learn more about FQHC’s

Greater Family Health applied and was successfully accepted to become a Federally Qualified Health Center in 2002. As a result, we then began receiving funding from the Bureau of Primary Health Care. Our Health Centers were originally created to serve the Elgin community, but over the years, we have successfully expanded to serve over 47 municipalities in Illinois through our 9 Health Centers.

Our mission as a Federally Qualified Health Center is to provide quality and affordable health care services to the underserved and vulnerable populations and reduce barriers that can prevent access to care. We have worked hard to reduce geographic, cultural, linguistic, and financial barriers. We provide a variety of services, including, medical, dental, behavioral health, and substance use treatment. We make it easier for our patients to navigate what can be a confusing health care system and ensure that our communities receive the care they need.

Our patients have access to our team of over 80 Family Practice Providers, which include Pediatricians, OB/GYNs, Family Medicine Practitioners, Nurse Practitioners, Physician Assistants, HIV Medicine Specialists, Internal Medicine Practitioners, Dentist, Dental Hygienist, Psychiatrists, Licensed Clinical Social Workers, Licensed Clinical Professional Counselors, and many more.

 

We provide high quality, respectful, and comprehensive care for all. Our commitment to excellence is reflected in our Accreditation by The Joint Commission, which requires a rigorous, unannounced, on-site survey every three years. In addition, our patients experience and satisfaction with our services is of the utmost importance, for this reason we conduct Patient Satisfaction Surveys four times per year, and collect thousands of surveys each time, to continually analyze our services and make improvements where necessary. Our quarterly Patient Satisfaction Survey Results are openly shared with our patients and our community.

 

A common barrier for patients is navigating the health care system, our Integrated Health Care services make it easier to access care. Our Care Management team is critical in providing continuity of care; they assist patients’ access and coordinate care internally and with external resources. Additionally, we have a dedicated Diabetes Nurse Care Manager who works with our diabetic patients to ensure they are receiving the care they need.

 

We offer transportation reimbursement and translation services for those that may need these services. Since over 98% of our patients have incomes under 200% of the Federal Poverty Level, we offer a Sliding Fee Discount and provide services regardless of the patient’s ability to pay. In addition, we offer assistance to apply for health benefits and our patients may qualify for the 340B Drug Discount Program, through which they can have access to discounted pharmaceuticals. For more about our additional benefits to Greater Family Health patients, click here.

Our patients are at the center of what we do. We provide you with essential services and resources for you and your family and we encourage you to make us your medical home. We accomplish this by offering Integrated Health Care.

 

Receiving Integrated Health Care means you do not need to go to a different practice if you need primary care, dental, mental health services, or substance use treatment. Integrated Health Care is proven to be the most effective way to obtain the best outcomes for your overall health. Your health is our priority!

 

You can be sure you are receiving the best care in your community. Our Health Centers have received multiple National Quality awards from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and we are accredited by The Joint Commission. Additionally, we are a Million Hearts Hypertension Control Champion since 2017!

 

Becoming our patient gives you access to a variety of benefits, including assistance obtaining Medicaid and other health insurance, sliding fee discounts, access to discounts for prescriptions, and transportation assistance. Making an appointment with us is easy, Same-Day or Next-Day appointments may be available!

While Community Health Centers like us have bipartisan support at the federal and state level, there are ways for you to be involved and be an advocate for FQHCs. Click here to learn more.