What Is a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC)?
In our last blog, we shared what Community Health Centers (CHCs) are and why they matter.
A Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) is a special type of CHC. FQHCs meet extra federal standards that help keep care affordable, expand services, and make sure patients have a voice in how clinics are run.
Neighborhood Health Center (NHC) is proud to be an FQHC serving patients across Washington and Clackamas counties. Here’s what that means for you as a patient.
Who Do FQHCs Serve?
FQHCs are open to all. They especially support people who might have trouble finding care elsewhere, like:
-
People who speak a language other than English
-
Families with low income
-
People without insurance
-
Communities with too few doctors
The best part? You don’t have to prove you “deserve” care. If you need care, FQHCs are there for you.
What Services Do FQHCs Offer?
FQHCs bring many services together in one place, so you don’t have to travel for different kinds of care.
You’ll often find:
-
Doctor visits for all ages
-
Checkups, vaccines, and screenings
-
Help with long-term conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure
-
Women’s health and family planning
-
Dental care
-
Counseling and behavioral health services
-
On-site pharmacies
-
Help applying for Medicaid (Oregon Health Plan, or OHP) or other coverage
Dive Deeper: CHCs vs. FQHCs
What Makes FQHCs Different?
All FQHCs are CHCs, but not all CHCs are FQHCs. Here’s what sets them apart:
-
Sliding fee discounts based on family size and income
-
Patient-majority boards where more than half of the members are also patients
-
Full range of required services for body, mind, and oral health
-
Federal funding and support that lower costs and attract skilled providers
For patients, care feels much the same. The big differences are in funding and structure, not in how welcome you’ll feel when you walk in.
NHC = FQHC
Neighborhood Health Center (NHC) is proud to be a Federally Qualified Health Center serving patients in Washington and Clackamas counties.
Our services include:
-
School-based health centers for youth
-
Free help applying for OHP or other coverage
At NHC, more than half of our board members are also patients. That means the people we serve help guide our decisions and shape our services.
FQHCs exist because healthcare should be accessible, affordable, and welcoming—for everyone. That’s what NHC and other health centers are here to provide.