Case Study 3
pdf
keyboard_arrow_up
School
California State University, Stanislaus *
*We aren’t endorsed by this school
Course
4300
Subject
Medicine
Date
Feb 20, 2024
Type
Pages
4
Uploaded by ElderExploration12951
Case Study "Keeping the Community Health Center's Doors Open", Chapter 10.
1. What are the facts in this case?
-
There is a significant portion of insured patients who are underinsured. Given their low
incomes, many patients purchased less costly plans through the federal and state
marketplaces.
-
Quality Care CHC is a federally qualified health center that is located in a medically
underserved area.
-
Population is from very low socio-economic status, medically underserved and
vulnerable with high infant mortality rates and there are no adequate primary health care
providers.
-
The mission of this CHC is to provide affordable, quality primary care services to the
medically underserved population regardless of their income and insurance status, so
there are many patients coming without insurance and not able to pay the very little
amount charged to them after care, and as a result the center is not able to get even the
service cost which the center spends for each patient.
-
Due to lack of funding, the center cannot offer good salaries and benefits for its
employees and recruit and train clinicians and other staff, resulting in many vacancies in
the CHC.
2. What are three factors contributing to the community health center’s problems?
-
1) It is a non-profit, federally qualified health center located in a medically underserved
area.
-
2) Population is from low income and 30% are uninsured and not able to pay the sliding
fee scale that is only a fraction of cost of service provided and many insured patients are
underinsured (not able to get the insurance coverage) because they have not paid their
deductibles.
-
3) With the available federal funding and insurance reimbursement the CHC is not able to
get its cost of services provided and is at a loss.
3. What are the consequences of a community health center closure for both patients and the
community?
-
Poor health status of the population further declines the socio-economic status of the
community.
-
Increase in morbidity and mortality rate in the community.
-
Patients will not seek medical care for their health problems due to lack of finance.
4. Are there sources of revenue that the CHC hasn’t focused on, such as fundraising in the
community and with foundations and corporations?
-
The annual federal section 330 grant provides money to pay for its cost of providing care
to uninsured and underinsured patients. It also provides funds for services such as
management, eligibility and enrollment services, transportation, community health
worker programs and patient education.
-
The local and state grants are also available.
-
The CHC can raise funds with the help of local bodies and other foundations in the area
to improve the facilities of CHC.
5. What alternative sources of care are available for community health center patients?
-
There are nearby private and for-profit organizations, patients who can afford can seek
care from these institutions.
6. How important is the provision of enabling services for community health center patients?
-
Provision of enabling services is very important for community health center patients
because these services help them to access and receive care in a better way. These
services include transportation, translation, and interpretation services, which help
patients who do not speak English or have other communication barriers to communicate
effectively with their healthcare providers. Without these services, it can be difficult for
patients to understand their health conditions and follow their treatment plans, which can
lead to poorer health outcomes.
7. What are the consequences of patients' foregoing care?
-
The consequences of patients going without care can be serious and even life-threatening.
Without access to healthcare, patients may delay or avoid seeking treatment for their
conditions, which can lead to complications that require more extensive and expensive
treatment. This can lead to higher healthcare costs and a worse overall health outcome.
8. What strategies could the executive director employ to address the health center’s financial
challenges?
-
The executive director of a healthcare center facing financial challenges may employ
several strategies to address them. One strategy is to seek out new sources of revenue,
Your preview ends here
Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version
- Access to all documents
- Unlimited textbook solutions
- 24/7 expert homework help
such as exploring partnerships with other organizations or seeking out grants or funding
opportunities.
-
Another strategy is to reduce expenses, such as cutting back on non-essential spending or
streamlining operations to reduce overhead costs. The executive director may also focus
on improving the center's financial management, such as by implementing cost-control
measures or improving billing and collections processes.
-
The executive director may advocate for policy changes at the local, state, or federal level
to increase access to healthcare and increase funding for community health centers. By
implementing these strategies, the executive director can help to ensure that their
healthcare center remains financially stable and able to provide high-quality care to its
patients.
9. What steps can the executive director take to improve the health center’s recruitment and
retention rates?
-
The executive director can diversify funding, advocate for better reimbursements, and
implement cost-efficient measures like bulk purchasing and streamlined processes to
address the health center's financial challenges.
-
Also enhance recruitment by offering competitive compensation, engaging the
community to create a sense of pride, and investing in staff development. This will foster
loyalty, attract skilled professionals, and create a supportive work environment.