Alliance Health Centers opened its clinic in southeast Fort Wayne exactly a year ago. Today, the community-based health clinic has been designated as a Federally Qualified Health Center Look-Alike.
The designation as a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) Look-Alike is decided by the Health Resources and Service Administration (HRSA) and means Alliance must meet a strict set of requirements.
Brooke Lockhart, CEO of Alliance Health Centers, said the designation helps ensure the clinic is focusing on serving those most in need. FQHC Look-Alikes are also able to apply for enhanced reimbursement from Medicare and Medicaid.
“And with that comes longer term financial stability that lets us remain in the community as well as hopefully expand as we determine there’s additional need,” Lockhart said.
Lockhart said the enhanced reimbursement helps the clinic provide a sliding fee discount for patients at 200 percent or below the federal poverty line and not have to turn away patients due to inability to pay.
The clinic is located in the 46806 zip code in Fort Wayne, a federally designated healthcare provider shortage area. Lockhart says Alliance looks to improve the ratio of providers to population, which causes that designation.
