What is a Federally Qualified Health Center?
Community Health Centers are community-based providers of comprehensive primary and preventative health care and enabling services to medically underserved populations. Many also offer comprehensive dental care and mental health services.
Health Centers is an all-encompassing term for a diverse range of public and nonprofit organizations and programs. Many receive federal funding under section 330 of the Public Health Service Act (Consolidated Health Center Program) and may also be called Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC).
Health Centers focus on improving individual patient health and improving the health status of the entire community. Needs assessment, program development and evaluation are all framed in terms of both community health needs and patient health.
Southern Missouri Community Health Center receives HHS funding and has Federal Public Health Service (PHS) deemed status with respect to certain health or health-related claims, including medical malpractice claims, for itself and its covered individuals.
Performance Measures:
Southern Missouri Community Health Center follows guidelines set forth by the Bureau of Primary Health Care and the Health Resources and Services Administration. These guidelines focus on quality, comparability, and integration through a variety of measures. These measures have been standardized by the National Quality Forum to ensure standard application across a broad variety of providers, locations, and facility types. Southern Missouri Community Health Center reports on these measures at least annually. Listed below are a few of our performance outcomes.
Resource Stewardship:
Percentage of patients aged 18 and older where all medications currently used are documented. Our goal is 95% and we met and exceeded it at 98%.
Clinical Quality:
Percentage of patients aged 12 years and older who were screened for tobacco use or use of electronic nicotine delivery system (ENDS) one or more times during the measurement period AND who received cessation intervention during the measurement period or in the six months prior to the measurement period if identified as a tobacco or ENDS user. Our goal is 95% and we met and exceeded it at 96.1%.
Patient Experience:
SMCHC wants to ensure that our patients are informed about changes in their medications and provided lab or radiology results timely. Patients responded 98% (strongly agree and agree) in the positive that they are kept informed about medication changes and lab and radiology results timely.
Evidence Based Care:
SMCHC clinicians utilize evidence-based guidelines and best practice standards while providing care to our patients. The staff of SMCHC consistently performs well and have gained recognition for using best evidence. SMCHC is a Platinum 2024 award winner, awarded by the Missouri Primary Care Association. This achievement recognizes high quality, evidence-based care.
History
In the spring of 2001, community members of Howell and Oregon counties came together in a series of community meetings hosted by the Missouri Primary Care Association (MPCA) to discuss access to care issues in their region. As a result, a committee was formed with the intent to pursue section 330 funding to create a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) in West Plains, Missouri.
In February 2003, Southern Missouri Community Health Center Medical Clinic opened its doors. In July 2004, the SMCHC Dental Clinic opened and in March 2005, mental health services began.
In April 2006, SMCHC opened Oregon County Community Health Center in Thayer, Missouri, offering primary care, medication assistance and mental health services and in 2009 at their new location on Highway 63 North, dental was added.
SMCHC West Plains Clinic moved to 1137 Independence Drive in August 2006. The 14,000 square foot building is the current location of SMCHC’s medical, mental health and dental services.
In 2011 we changed Oregon County Community Health Center in Thayer, Missouri name to Southern Missouri Community Health Center Thayer Clinic to share the name of the West Plains location.
SMCHC accepts most private insurances, Medicaid and Medicare. A sliding fee program is available for patients who qualify financially based on federal poverty levels and family size. Medication assistance is also available for those who qualify.
Mission Statement
The mission of SMCHC is to provide access to excellent quality, affordable medical, dental, and mental healthcare delivered with respect and compassion to all individuals in need of such services.
