Community Health Centers
The Community Health Center (CHC) system is the family doctor for more than 50,000 children and adults in Austin and Travis County. CHC locations serve Travis County residents whose incomes and/or lack of private health insurance qualify them for enrollment. The CHC system accepts Medicare, Medicaid, and local Medical Assistance Program (MAP) patients.  If there is no other payer source, the patient pays for services based on a sliding fee scale.  Annually, the CHC system serves a patient population that is about 69 percent female and 31 percent male.  Of those patients, 30 percent are age 18 or younger, and 70 percent are older than 18 years of age.

Overview of Health Services
The Austin/Travis County Community Health Centers operate fourteen health center sites, which provide comprehensive primary care and medical, dental, and behavioral health services to residents of Travis County. Clinical services include but are not limited to pediatrics, women’s health, internal medicine, prenatal care, family planning, lab and x-ray services, care for chronic illness, prescription medications, counseling, nutrition services, and health education.

What is an FQHC?
Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) such as Austin/Travis County Community Health Centers represent a vital safety net in the nation’s health delivery system.  An FQHC is a federal designation from the federal Bureau of Primary Health Care. Federally Qualified Health Centers are eligible to receive enhanced reimbursement from Medicare and Medicaid and to participate in the 340B Program that enables them to purchase prescription drugs at reduced prices. Federally Qualified Health Centers also have access to medical malpractice insurance through the Federal Tort Claims Act.  A growing nationwide network of 1,000 FQHCs serves thirteen million people. To be certified as an FQHC, a provider must meet strict requirements regarding the scope of services offered, access provided to those without health insurance, and community governance.

Responding to Increased Healthcare Demand
Travis County has an estimated 172,000 uninsured residents or 19.3 percent of its population. Research indicates that many of these residents have great difficulty in accessing basic primary and preventive healthcare. Local safety net primary care providers, including the CHCs, consistently operate at more than 100 percent of their capacity. The CHC system plays a leading role in the community’s healthcare safety net. It is the medical home to about one-half of local safety net primary care patients. As the largest volume provider, the CHCs have worked diligently to respond to increasing community-wide demand. 

---

Randall's Good Neighbor Program benefits the CHCs
If you're a Randall's shopper, now your purchases can benefit the CHCs!
Simply specify Good Neighbor member number 11082 when you check out. When you do, a portion of the sales will be sent to the Friends of the CHC, a nonprofit organization established to raise funds and resources for the Community Health Centers.