A FQHC (Federally Qualified Health Center) Look-alike is a health center that meets all Health Center Program requirements and is part of the Health Center Program but does not receive federal award funding. Having Look-alike status does provide several important benefits, however, including access to FQHC Prospective Payment System reimbursement methodologies for services provided to Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries and discounts on pharmaceutical drugs through the 340B Federal Drug Pricing Program.
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With Federal Funding Uncertainty Consider Becoming a FQHC Look-Alike
Federal grants to support new health centers have been available every other year since President George W. Bush set a goal to create 10,000 new health centers in 2005. The Obama Administration continued funding “New Access Points” with stimulus funds and the Affordable Care Act. With uncertainty around federal funding priorities under the Trump Administration, your clinic might want to consider becoming a community health center under the Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) Look-alike program.
What To Do if Your Health Center Didn’t Receive New Access Point Grant Funding
With the goal of increasing access and expanding health care services to citizens in under served areas, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) awarded more than $50 million in New Access Point grant funding to 75 community-based and patient-directed health centers across the U.S., Puerto Rico and Micronesia. Successful applicants received their award notices on December 15, 2016.