Uptown Community Health Center receives boost with federal designation
Uptown Community Health Center, an independent, nonprofit community health organization with three clinics, has received a new designation as a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) Look-Alike organization, which will help the program expand access to care for the city’s most vulnerable community members.
UCHC’s three medical clinics are Bruner Family Medicine, Caritas Internal Medicine and Seton Women’s Center.
Prior to 2022, the clinics operated as part of Saint Joseph Hospital and were founded to serve as the ambulatory sites for the hospital’s GME residency programs.
The three clinics came together in 2022 to form the independent Uptown Community Health Center, which still serves as the GME program’s outpatient venue. Throughout its history, the clinics have maintained their mission to serve the medical needs of the poor and vulnerable and to continue to train and inspire the next generation of doctors.
More than 150 residents and faculty provide more than 45,000 patient visits annually.
Associate Chief Medical Officer Al Steinmann, MD, said the new federal designation means UCHC now can receive higher financial reimbursement from government payers, which will support the clinics in providing comprehensive care to our patient population in a more sustainable healthcare delivery model.
He added: “This aligns with our mission and helps us expand our access while we maintain our roots as a teaching institution.”
The FQHC Look-Alike designation recognizes community-based health care providers that meet the requirements of the Federal Health Center Program, but don't receive Health Center Program grant funding. Requirements include providing primary care services in underserved areas and delivering care on a sliding fee scale based on ability to pay.
The new designation means that Uptown is now eligible to access some benefits available to FQHCs to operate the medical clinics, along with enhanced Medicaid and Medicare reimbursement that will help them provide high-quality, comprehensive care to their patients in a more sustainable manner.
“Uptown is here to continue the ministry of the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth, providing excellent care to all who walk through our doors regardless of the ability to pay,” said Cherise Callighan, chief executive officer for Uptown Community Health Center. “We plan to offer family medicine, internal medicine and Ob-Gyn services to the most in need for years to come.”
The clinics accept patients who have Medicaid and Medicare, as well as patients who are uninsured or underinsured, and provide services on a sliding fee scale for patients who earn up to 200 percent of the federal poverty level.
To learn more about the clinics and services, visit UptownCommunityHealth.org.